UFC 293 Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland Review, Analysis And Impression
UFC 293 recently featured a thrilling middleweight title fight between reigning champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Sean Strickland. Here, we’ll review and analyze the key aspects of this highly anticipated matchup, as well as share our impressions of the fight.
Fighter Profiles:
Israel Adesanya:
Height: 6’4″
Age: 34
Weight: 185 lbs.
Reach: 80″
Last fight: knockout win over Alex Pereira (April 8, 2023)
Camp: City Kickboxing (New Zealand)
Stance/striking style: switch-stance/kickboxing
UFC middleweight champion
Professional kickboxing experience (76-5-2)
Professional boxing experience (5-1)
Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt
16 knockout victories
6 first-round finishes
Knockout power
Consistent pace and pressure
superb feints and footwork
dynamic kicking arsenal
Improved counter-wrestling
active and attacking guard game
Sean Strickland:
Height: 6’1″
Age: 32
Weight: 185 lbs.
Reach: 76″
Last fight: TKO win over Abus Magomedov (July 1, 2023)
Camp: Xtreme Couture MMA (Las Vegas)
Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
King of the Cage middleweight title
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
11 KO victories
4 submission wins
9 first-round finishes
21-2 in the middleweight division
Consistent pace and pressure
long and accurate jab
solid inside of the clinch
underrated wrestling ability
good transitional grappler
Striking with the Stylebender:
In this fight, Strickland displayed solid striking skills, particularly with his long-reaching jab and the ability to shift stances mid-combination. However, his upright posture and tendency to move in straight lines left him vulnerable to counterattacks.
Adesanya, known as “The Last Stylebender,” is a creative and dynamic striker with extensive experience in boxing and kickboxing. He expertly used feints and footwork to set up his shots. Adesanya’s striking arsenal included powerful kicks and precise punches; he often varied his attack to keep his opponent guessing.
Potential Grappling Threats:
Strickland, recognizing Adesanya’s striking prowess, may attempt to utilize his underrated wrestling and ground game. Strickland has shown the ability to execute level-changing doubles and effective “shuck-by” techniques from the body lock position.
Adesanya, despite being primarily a striker, has demonstrated decent clinch skills, including counter-grappling and strikes in the clinch. He has also improved his defensive grappling over time, with a focus on preventing takedowns and maintaining proper positioning.
Odds and Opinions:
The odds heavily favored Adesanya (-770) over Strickland (+480), which is not surprising given Adesanya’s status as the reigning champion and his impressive striking skills. However, Strickland’s well-rounded abilities and potential grappling threats should not be underestimated.
Ultimately, the fight’s outcome could hinge on each fighter’s game plan and execution. Adesanya’s strategy might involve leg kicks and countering Strickland’s striking, while Strickland could look to mix in his wrestling to disrupt Adesanya’s rhythm.
Prediction:
While acknowledging some bias toward Strickland’s team and trainers, the analyst predicts Adesanya to win via TKO in Round 3. However, they also recognize the potential for an upset if Strickland effectively follows his coach’s game plan.
The Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland fight at UFC 293 promised a clash of striking styles and potential grappling surprises. Ultimately, Adesanya’s experience and striking acumen prevailed, securing him the victory by unanimous decision.
