Sean Strickland Feels That Israel Adesanya Didn’t Even Try

Sean Strickland agrees with his boss Dana White and other critics of Israel Adesanya’s performance coming out of UFC 293. Something didn’t seem right. Following his defying-the-odds unanimous decision victory, Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) indicated that he thought Adesanya’s shortcomings in the cage could be due to a lack of motivation.

“Damn, dude. I feel like the guy didn’t even try. There were times when he was throwing punches and I was like, ‘Am I fighting an amateur right now? What the fuck is happening? But yeah, I think I talk too much and people forget that I can fight. But here we are, guys. You’re going to have to talk to me a little more. I’m sorry.”

On the other side of the equation, Strickland seemed proud of his performance, even though the game plan wasn’t fully realized. During the buildup to Saturday’s main event at Qudos Bank Arena, Strickland and his coach Eric Nicksick indicated that wrestling was coming. However, Strickland did not attempt a single takedown, much less manage to exploit his jiujitsu.

You know, I thought I was going to leave with a concussion, but I feel relatively good, apart from some bumps and bruises. The game plan was to fight, guys. We fought throughout camp. But when you’re a little autistic, you just do what you do. I think I am one of the best forwards in the world. Every time you do the ‘man dance’, you’re one hit away from being knocked out. But he could train with any world champion boxer and beat him. I do not know, man. “I just think I’m one of the best strikers in the world.”