Conor McGregor, other fighters react to Sean Strickland's upset of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293
In spite of many MMA fans and pundits not giving him a chance, Sean Strickland rose above and is now the new UFC middleweight champion, pulling off the win against Israel Adesanya via decision in the main event of UFC 293.
Though the fight started off quietly, Strickland landed a right hand late in the first round that stunned Adesanya. He'd fire off a flurry, but Adesanya survived the round.
Strickland stayed patient in the second round, continuing to connect with pacing, though Adesanya's striking picked up. After a noticably quiet third round — albeit Strickland clearly landed the only noteworthy strikes of that time frame — Strickland caught Adesanya's attention again with a series of connections.
Adesanya showed some urgency in the fifth, but it wasn't enough to stop Strickland, who won four rounds on all three judges' scorecards to win the championship.
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor had some thoughts about the fight.
The “spar only” method crowns the new ufc middleweight world champion. Well done Sean. Unlucky Izzy. Two quality operators as well as complete opposite characters facing off, where else would you get it. Incredible! What a sport. What a company! @ufc is King.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 10, 2023
UFC 293: Pros react to Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland
Wow! Did not see that coming
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) September 10, 2023
The division has movement. Congrats @SStricklandMMA great fight mate. Can’t wait for the future 👊🏽
— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) September 10, 2023
Unbelievable... MMA is the craziest sport in the world. I Fucking love this.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 10, 2023
@SStricklandMMA wow!! Congratulations man.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) September 10, 2023
Congrats to @SStricklandMMA great win against a damn good champion!! Sean will be a good champ, I CANT WAIT FOR OUR REMATCH IN 2024!!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) September 10, 2023
good finally defeated evil 🙌
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 10, 2023
Male man as champ pic.twitter.com/kLZW3ji5Jt
Man danced into history!!! Wow congrats bro @SStricklandMMA
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 10, 2023
This sport is wild #UFC293
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) September 10, 2023
I’m officially worse than the ea video game curse. Whoever I pick is guaranteed to lose https://t.co/raqFONF9m7
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) September 10, 2023
Honestly Sean Strickland is so much better than anybody thought he was. Amazing performance to make Israel look stumped in the striking realm
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) September 10, 2023
Wow, Tarzan did it! Congratulations to @SStricklandMMA an impressive victory! #UFC293
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) September 10, 2023
Wawwww🤯🤯🤯🤯 UFC293
— Jairzinho 'BIGI BOY' Rozenstruik (@JairRozenstruik) September 10, 2023
I feel so American right now 😂 LFG 🇺🇸 @SStricklandMMA #UFC293
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) September 10, 2023
This marked Adesanya's first fight since defeating Alex Pereira to regain the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 287 in April. Adesanya previously reigned as middleweight champion from his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October 2019 to his loss to Pereira at UFC 281 last November.
Strickland entered this fight off back-to-back victories and seven wins in his nine fights since returning from his near career-ending motorcycle accident. Strickland scored a finish of Abus Magomedov in July.
Next. A detailed timeline of every UFC champion since 2000. A detailed timeline of every UFC champion since 2000. dark