Sean Strickland News
Dana White clarifies UFC middleweight title picture: "Never once did I say we're going to do this f*cking rematch"
Fernando Quiles - September 13, 2023
The UFC middleweight division isn’t short on contenders, and Dana White is well aware of it. At the conclusion of UFC 293, the 185-pound division was turned upside down with one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision to become the new UFC middleweight champion. With how dominant Strickland looked in the fight, it left many to wonder if the UFC would forgo an immediate rematch in favor of a fresh matchup.
Sean O’Malley weighs in on Sean Strickland’s title win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293: “It didn't look like the Izzy that fought Alex Pereira”
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2023
UFC star Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Last weekend, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He did so by defeating Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision to capture the UFC middleweight championship. While Strickland’s performance was incredible, it’s also worth noting that ‘Stylebender’ looked particularly poor on the night. In the eyes of many pundits, of course, this was due to the great work done by Strickland, but Adesanya’s shortcomings also need to be acknowledged.
Sean Strickland's coach Eric Nicksick reveals private UFC 293 conversation with Israel Adesanya: "You saved that man's life"
Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023
Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick had an interesting conversation with Israel Adesanya following UFC 293. ‘Tarzan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ faced off in the pay-per-view main event on Saturday. Entering the matchup, Sean Strickland was riding a two-fight winning streak but was a massive underdog. Luckily for the middleweight contender, Eric Nicksick did his scouting on Israel Adesanya.
Jared Cannonier tells UFC President Dana White to “f**k the rematch” and let him fight Sean Strickland next: “I've already beaten your champion”
Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023
UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants the first crack at Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 293 in Australia on Saturday. There, Sean Strickland recieved the first title shot of his career, facing Israel Adesanya. ‘The Last Stylebender’ entered a massive favorite for his title defense, having defeated the likes of Alex Pereira, Jared Cannonier, and more.
Alex Pereira explains why Israel Adesanya shouldn't get immediate UFC title rematch against Sean Strickland
Fernando Quiles - September 12, 2023
Alex Pereira has given his take on why Israel Adesanya should not get an immediate rematch against Sean Strickland. Adesanya lost the UFC Middleweight Championship on September 9. He took on Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 and had no answer for his opponent. Many have credited Alex Pereira with Strickland’s unanimous decision victory to capture the 185-pound gold. “Poatan” has refused to take credit for what his training partner and former foe was able to achieve.
Sean Strickland turns UFC middleweight rankings upside down, enters pound-for-pound list
Fernando Quiles - September 12, 2023
Sean Strickland brilliantly executed an effective game plan against Israel Adesanya, and the UFC rankings have been thrown in a tailspin as a result. Strickland was effective in getting out of the way of Adesanya’s kicks and stifling his counter-striking at UFC 293. His pressure game was also too much for “The Last Stylebender,” who had no answer after suffering a first-round knockdown. Strickland took the unanimous decision victory and the UFC middleweight gold.
Ian Machado Garry shares his thoughts on the UFC 293 main event: “What did Sean Strickland do that was elite?”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2023
UFC fighter Ian Machado Garry wasn’t overly impressed with the nature of Sean Strickland’s win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Last weekend at UFC 293, Sean Strickland put on a show. He defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision to capture the UFC middleweight championship. In doing so, he produced one of the biggest upsets in the history of mixed martial arts. It was the kind of win that sent shockwaves through the sport and, as you can imagine, there are plenty of opinions flying around.
Michael Bisping names the opponent Sean Strickland will “probably” fight in his first UFC title defense
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2023
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on who Sean Strickland will probably fight first when defending his new UFC title. Last weekend, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision to capture the UFC middleweight championship. In the eyes of many, it’s one of the biggest upsets in UFC history – and that probably stretches to all of mixed martial arts, too. It’s the kind of fight that will live long in the memory, but for now, it’s time to look ahead to the future.
What's next for Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya after UFC 293?
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023
In the main event of UFC 293, the middleweight title was up for grabs as Israel Adesanya was looking to defend his strap against Sean Strickland. Adesanya entered the fight having reclaimed his title last time out with a KO win over Alex Pereira back in April. Before that, he suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Pereira to lose his middleweight title. Strickland, meanwhile, was just 2-2 in his last four but was riding a two-fight win streak as he TKO’d Abus Magomedov his last time out.
Alex Pereira says he had "nothing to do" with Sean Strickland beating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293: "The credit is all his"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023
Alex Pereira says he deserves no credit for Sean Strickland defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Pereira and Strickland fought back in July 2022, and it was the Brazilian who won by first-round knockout to earn a title shot. Alex Pereira eventually went on to win the UFC middleweight championship but ended up losing the belt back to Israel Adesanya in their rematch. Shortly after that, ‘Poatan’ and Strickland trained with one another for a few weeks.
Robert Whittaker rejects idea Israel Adesanya was "off" at UFC 293: "Sean shut him down"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023
UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker doesn’t believe Israel Adesanya was off on Saturday. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon opposite Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 this weekend. Heading into the matchup, Israel Adesanya was a massive betting favorite. Furthermore, he was already targeting a future title defense against Dricus du Plessis following his win over Robert Whittaker in July.
Israel Adesanya opens as small favorite in potential rematch against Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023
Israel Adesanya has opened as a small favorite in a potential rematch with Sean Strickland. Adesanya and Strickland headlined UFC 293 in Australia and heading into the fight, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was a massive betting favorite. However, in the first round, Strickland dropped Adesanya and had him hurt at the end of the round. Strickland ended up cruising to a clear-cut decision to pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history to become the new middleweight champion.
Daniel Cormier doesn't think Israel Adesanya should receive an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland: "I think the division needs to move on"
Chris Taylor - September 10, 2023
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Israel Adesanya should receive an immediate rematch against Sean Strickland following their title fight at UFC 293. Adesanya (24-3 MMA) and Strickland (28-5 MMA) collided for the promotion’s undisputed middleweight championship in the headliner of last night’s pay-per-view event in Sydney, Australia.
Dana White "absolutely" wants to book an immediate rematch between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya after UFC 293
Chris Taylor - September 10, 2023
Dana White “absolutely” wants to book an immediate rematch between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya after last night’s UFC 293 event. Strickland (28-5 MMA) challenged Adesanya (24-3 MMA) for the promotion’s undisputed middleweight title in the headliner of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Sydney, Australia.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts to Sean Strickland’s shocking upset over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293: “Makes no difference to me”
Fernando Quiles - September 10, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis has given his response to Sean Strickland pulling off a stunning upset over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Du Plessis initially had the UFC 293 headlining spot, but he wasn’t going to be healed in time for the September 9 date. Instead, Strickland stepped in and he made the absolute most of his opportunity. Strickland dropped Adesanya in the first round, and things just unraveled for “The Last Stylebender.” The pressure from Strickland was relentless and he ended up taking the middleweight title via unanimous decision.
Sean Strickland weighs in on Israel Adesanya’s performance at UFC 293: “Am I fighting an amateur right now?”
Fernando Quiles - September 10, 2023
Sean Strickland has some thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s performance against him at UFC 293. Strickland did the unthinkable this past Saturday night (September 9). After dropping Adesanya with a punch in the opening frame, Strickland took over his UFC middleweight title fight against “The Last Stylebender.” While round two was better for “The Last Stylebender,” things just went downhill after that. Strickland made it difficult for “Izzy” to land and his relentless pressure won him all but one round on the judges’ scorecards.
Alex Pereira reacts to Sean Strickland dethroning Israel Adesanya at UFC 293
Jeffrey Walter - September 9, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has reacted to Sean Strickland dethroning Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Adesanya (24-3 MMA) and Strickland (28-5 MMA) squared off for the undisputed UFC middleweight world title in the headliner of tonight’s pay-per-view event in Sydney, Australia.
Israel Adesanya reacts following title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293
Chris Taylor - September 9, 2023
Israel Adesanya has reacted following his shocking title loss to Sean Strickland at tonight’s UFC 293 event in Sydney. Adesanya (24-3 MMA) was returning to the Octagon this evening for the first time since reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship with a second-round knockout victory over longtime rival Alex Pereira this past April. ‘Stylebender’ had gone 4-2 over his previous six Octagon appearances, suffering losses to ‘Poatan‘ and Jan Blachowicz, while earning decision wins over Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier during that stretch.