Sean Strickland Becomes The New UFC Middleweight Champion, Stuns Israel Adesanya

The Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, became the epicentre of mixed martial arts excitement as UFC 293 unfolded on September 9, 2023. The event not only marked the UFC’s return to Sydney after nearly six years but also delivered a night of unforgettable moments and surprising outcomes. At the heart of it all was the main event, which saw Sean Strickland pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history by defeating Israel Adesanya to claim the middleweight title. In this article, we dive into the highlights and results of UFC 293.

The main event of UFC 293 was initially set to feature a showdown between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis. However, fate had other plans, as Du Plessis was unable to compete, paving the way for Sean Strickland to step into the octagon. Strickland, ranked at #5, was viewed by many as a second-choice option. Still, he seized the opportunity with both hands and delivered a performance for the ages.

Over the course of five rounds, Strickland outstruck Adesanya, the reigning middleweight champion, to earn a unanimous decision victory. The judges’ scorecards read 49-46 in favour of Strickland, signalling the end of Adesanya’s second reign as UFC middleweight champion. It was a remarkable display of skill and determination by Strickland, who became an instant sensation in the MMA world.

The co-main event featured fan favourite Tai Tuivasa, who was determined to break free from a two-fight losing streak. Tuivasa, known as “Bam Bam,” entered the octagon with hopes of securing a victory against Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight clash. He showcased early success, landing significant body shots and challenging Volkov with powerful punches. However, the fight took a dramatic turn in the second round.

Volkov capitalised on an opportunity, and Tuivasa ended up on his back, caught in a rarely-seen Ezekiel choke. Despite Tuivasa’s resilience, he eventually had to tap out, leading to Volkov’s victory. The co-main event demonstrated the unpredictable nature of MMA, where fortunes can change in an instant.

The main card of UFC 293 was packed with excitement, featuring a series of electrifying finishes. Tyson Pedro and Justin Tafa wasted no time in delivering first-round stoppages, thrilling the audience with their explosive performances. Pedro secured a knockout victory against Anton Turkalj, while Tafa’s punches led to a TKO win over Austen Lane.

Manel Kape, in his UFC debut, faced off against Felipe dos Santos in a flyweight bout. The action-packed contest saw Kape emerge victorious via unanimous decision, further solidifying his presence in the UFC.

The preliminary card of UFC 293 provided its own share of thrilling moments and submission victories. Carlos Ulberg submitted Da Un Jung in the third round with a rear-naked choke, showcasing his grappling prowess. The matchup between Chepe Mariscal and Jack Jenkins took a painful turn when Jenkins dislocated his elbow, resulting in a verbal submission victory for Mariscal.

In another unanimous decision, Jamie Mullarkey bested John Makdessi with scores of 29–28 across the board. Nasrat Haqparast also secured a unanimous decision win against Landon Quiones, maintaining the high energy of the night.

The early preliminary card featured a memorable bout as Charlie Radtke faced Blood Diamond. Radtke emerged victorious via a unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the fight 29–27 in his favor. The fight showcased Radtke’s skills and determination, making him a fighter to watch in the future.

Gabriel Miranda added to the night’s excitement by submitting Shane Young with a neck crank in the first round. Kevin Jousset secured a submission victory via rear-naked choke over Kiefer Crosbie in the opening round.

UFC President Dana White acknowledged Sean Strickland’s remarkable upset and commended his performance. White’s recognition of Strickland’s achievement highlighted the significance of the victory and its impact on the MMA world.

UFC 293 will be remembered for Sean Strickland’s historic upset over Israel Adesanya, a moment that redefined the landscape of the middleweight division. The event showcased the unpredictable and thrilling nature of mixed martial arts, with fighters delivering memorable performances and jaw-dropping finishes. As the MMA world continues to evolve, UFC 293 will remain a pivotal chapter in its history, reminding fans and fighters alike of the enduring spirit of the sport.