Israel Adesanya, the two-time UFC middleweight champion looks focused and locked in for the upcoming UFC 293. The current 185-pound champion’s road to the title has not been smooth sailing. On November 12, 2022, Adesanya lost his title to Alex Pereira via TKO at UFC 281. At UFC 287, Adesanya defeated Alex Pereira via knockout to become the UFC middleweight champion again.
While South African Dricus Du Plessis was expected to be the initial challenger for The Last Stylebender, Stillknocks declined the fight citing injury issues. Sean Strickland, who wasn’t initially considered a prime contender, stepped in and is set to fight for the strap in Australia.
Adesanya and Strickland set to shine as UFC returns to Australia
Adesanya and Strickland are all set to battle it out in the cage as the main event of UFC 293 on September 10, Sean’s last fight was against Abus Magomedov where ‘Tarzan’ won by KO/TKO, and Adesanya last fought against Alex Pereira in which Alex was dethroned by the former champ.
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The fight between Adesanya and Strickland came together hastily after it became apparent that top contender Dricus du Plessis could not make the quick turnaround after beating Robert Whittaker during International Fight Week in July. Adesanya makes the first defense of his second stint as UFC middleweight champion after finally overcoming longtime rival Alex Pereira.
After the Makhachev vs. Volkanovski card early this year, Australia is yet again set to get a main event featuring many of their subcontinental fighters like Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa, Justin Tafa, Tyson Pedro, Carlos Ulberg etc.
Israel Adesanya aims to secure finish against Sean Strickland at UFC 293
“I’m on a warpath, and I’m going to end this man,” Adesanya told MMA junkie in an interview. “He’s getting knocked out. He’s getting knocked out in this fight. But I believe his team will really try to get him to wrestle or clinch with me.”
“He’ll get dumped on his ass and knocked out again. I don’t take him lightly because a man with everything to gain and nothing to lose is a very dangerous man. I take him very seriously, but I just know who I am and where I’m at,” he added.
âIâm a loud man when I need to be loud, but Iâm very quiet and I observe. He definitely has his own insecurities and whatnot, like, âIâm a man and I ride a motorcycle and wear my boots and drink my beer.â He wants to be that guy and macho, machismo. I donât need to prove Iâm a man by doing all that shit. I just be me, and Iâll still f*ck you up,â He said to Mike Bohn, a senior reporter at MMA junkie.
Tell us in the comments your thoughts on such bold statements by Adesanya. Do you think Sean Strickland will be a hindrance for Adesanya or will Izzy get through him easily?
