UFC News
WATCH | Sean Strickland breaks his UFC belt, fixes it with duct tape
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023
Sean Strickland has already broken his UFC belt. Strickland became the UFC’s new middleweight champion on Saturday night – Sunday afternoon in Australia – as he cruised to a decision win over Israel Adesanya. It was one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, and Strickland even nearly finished the fight as he dropped Adesanya in the first round.
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.
UFC fighter reportedly arrested in Thailand for kidnapping, torturing and extorting a man
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023
UFC fighter Khusein Askhabov was arrested in Thailand for allegedly forcing his way into an Italian man’s house and then robbing, kidnapping, and torturing him. Askhabov and his twin brother Khasan were arrested on Sept. 5 according to The Phuket News. According to the report, the brothers allegedly forced their way into a villa at a resort in Cherng Talay, where they gagged and beat a man across an extended period of time for information.
Chael Sonnen believes Dricus du Plessis will be forgotten after UFC 293: "Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa just became a number one contender's match"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023
Chael Sonnen believes UFC middleweight Dricus du Plessis could be forgotten after this weekend. In the main event of UFC 293 on Saturday, Israel Adesanya returned to face Sean Strickland. While he was first expected to face Dricus du Plessis, ‘Stillknocks’ was still recovering from his win over Robert Whittaker in July. As a result, ‘Tarzan’ stepped up, and pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever.
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.
Ian Garry hopeful for future dream fight with Colby Covington: "Slap the mouth off of him"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry is eyeing a future clash with Colby Covington. ‘The Future’ is fresh off his return opposite Neil Magny at UFC 292 last month. Heading into the bout, it was viewed as the biggest challenge of Ian Garry’s career thus far. However, the Irishman easily dominated, scoring a unanimous decision win over the longtime contender last month.
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.
Teddy Atlas explains what went wrong for Israel Adesanya at UFC 293
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2023
An icon among boxing trainers, Teddy Atlas, has given his take on what went south for Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. “Izzy” is no longer the UFC middleweight champion after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Strickland. It was apparent throughout the fight that Adesanya struggled with his opponent’s pressure. Strickland also demonstrated his ability to move out of the way of Adesanya’s kicks consistently. Ultimately, Strickland’s first-round knockdown set the tone for the fight, and he rode that momentum all the way until the final horn.
Conor McGregor teases move to 185lbs following Sean Strickland’s title win at UFC 293: “I’d fancy it”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2023
Conor McGregor is once again having some fun on Twitter, this time teasing a move to middleweight. McGregor has been no stranger when it comes to hinting at changing weight classes. Throughout his recovery journey after suffering a broken tibia and fibula, the “Notorious” one has bulked up considerably. It’s to the point where many are wondering if McGregor will end up returning to the lightweight division at all.
Manel Kape issues apology after using a homophobic slur during his callout of Kai Kara-France at UFC 293
Harry Kettle - September 11, 2023
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has issued an apology after using a homophobic slur during his callout of Kai Kara-France. It’s safe to say that Manel Kape has been a busy man this week. After his fight against Kai Kara-France was called off, Kape got into a verbal altercation with both Kai and Israel Adesanya during the pre-fight press conference earlier this week. Then, at UFC 293, he defeated Felipe dos Santos in what proved to be one hell of a fight.
Coach explains what went wrong for Israel Adesanya in UFC 293 title fight with Sean Strickland
Harry Kettle - September 11, 2023
Israel Adesanya’s head coach Eugene Bareman has explained what went wrong for his student in the UFC 293 main event. Last weekend, Israel Adesanya lost the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 293. He did so at the hands of Sean Strickland, who defeated him fairly convincingly via unanimous decision. It came after a fascinating five-round fight with perhaps the most notable moment coming in the first, when Strickland was able to drop ‘Stylebender’ pretty badly.
Sean Strickland reflects on his journey to become UFC middleweight champion: “Thank god for child abuse”
Harry Kettle - September 11, 2023
Sean Strickland has taken a look back at his incredible journey that led to him capturing the UFC middleweight championship. Last weekend, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He took on Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 293, and he defeated ‘Stylebender’ over the course of five rounds. He also dropped the former champ, with many believing he was close to stopping him in the first round.
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.
Alex Volkanovski responds after Conor McGregor suggests he would make “quick work” of him at featherweight: “Let’s do it at UFC 300”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has given a response to Conor McGregor after a recent tweet disparaging his place on the pound-for-pound list. McGregor hasn’t been shy in trying to ruffle some feathers. Volkanovski has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind a super fight against McGregor. Volkanovski once told James Lynch of MMA News that he’d be willing to fight McGregor even if it meant having to move up to welterweight.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts to Sean Strickland’s shocking upset over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293: “Makes no difference to me”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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.
Tai Tuivasa issues statement following his submission loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC 293: “Live to fight another day”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2023
Tai Tuivasa has spoken out on his UFC 293 loss to Alexander Volkov. Tuivasa and Volkov shared the Octagon inside the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Tuivasa had trouble in the standup finding his range. Volkov used his reach effectively to keep “Bam Bam” at bay. When the fight hit the ground in round two, Volkov locked up an ezekiel choke to force the tap.