Israel Adesanya lost his UFC middle-weight title to Sean Strickland in what is being called one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. The underdog Sean Strickland put on a performance of his career, as he dethroned the former UFC middleweight champion.
In the post-match press conference, UFC president Dana White said that there will be a rematch very soon. However, former UFC champ Kamaru Usman believes Izzy should take a break before calling out Strickland for the rematch.
Kamaru Usman advised Izzy to take a break
Kamaru Usman can relate to Israel Adesanya. He lost his welterweight title to Leon Edwards, then got an immediate opportunity to avenge his loss this past March at UFC 286 but wound up falling short again.
He advises Israel Adesanya to not jump into an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland. Usman advises his good friend to take some time off which the former champion didn’t do himself. In hindsight, Usman wishes he had taken some time off before running things back with Edwards.
“Yes, I was definitely in his position, I honestly, looking back now, I probably rushed it. I probably should have taken a little bit more time off and then I’m still guaranteed that shot to go fight for that title.” Kamaru Usman said to ESPN.
“For Israel, as a competitor, I’m sure he’s feeling a bit of this, as well, and thinking, ‘No, this guy shouldn’t have beat me in the first place’ just like I felt, This guy shouldn’t be in there with me in the first place as I felt and so you want to get it back and get that stain off you right away. But if you’re guaranteed that shot, I would like to see him take a little bit of time, enjoy life,” Usman further said.
Dana White’s take on Izzy vs Strickland rematch
In the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White put forward his opinion on the bout between Adesanya and Strickland, he also talked about any potential rematch between the two.
UFC CEO Dana White on Sean Strickland's win at #UFC293 and talk of an Izzy rematch.
🎥: @DoubleGonTv#UFC #MMA #DanaWhite #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/rp53CQcYZc
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) September 13, 2023
“Obviously, I expected a completely different main event, Whether Izzy won or Strickland won, nobody saw that coming,” White said at the UFC 293 post-fight press conference. “Listen it is what it is, we obviously put him in that position, he went in and won the fight, he is the champion now. You could tell that night, after the first round, he would go back to his corner and be ready within 15 seconds,” White added.
“I think you do the rematch, Absolutely. The rematch is interesting.” White concluded the post-fight press conference with the statement.
Will the new UFC middleweight champion defend his title against Israel Adesanya or will it be a new contender like Du Plessis? Tell us in the comments your thoughts on the rematch between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
