American Sean Strickland stunned Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya by winning the UFC middleweight title via unanimous decision. It’s the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in six years in Australia’s biggest city.
The 32-year-old Strickland (28-5), who stirred up the fight with sexist and abusive comments at a news conference promoting the bout, won the five-round decision by all three judges’ scores. 49-46.
“Am I dreaming? Am I going to wake up? Somebody hit me… I don’t cry much but I’m just trying to hold it together,” an emotional Strickland said shortly after the bout.
Strickland said,”I give up lot of brain cells to the MMA gods … I thought I’d walk away a little bloodier, a little more bruised. I’m a little surprised it didn’t happen.”
With strong vocal support at the Quds Bank Arena, Adesanya (24-3) was the clear favorite to overpower his controversial American rival and retain the title he won from Alex Pereira at UFC 281 in April.
But the 32-year-old Strickland’s counter-attacking style was brutally effective as the American landed more clear shots throughout the fight as Adesanya struggled to find a way to hurt Strickland.
After a patient start from both fighters that saw Adesanya check Strickland’s uncanny style. It was the American who found the first talking strike with a clean straight shot that dropped Adesanya.
Strickland quickly attacked the 34-year-old New Zealander’s back to end the first round in the American’s favour.
Adesanya was more aggressive in the second and third rounds of UFC middleweight title. Finding his range with his kicks and right hand shots but leaving himself open for Strickland to attack his body and head.
The final round saw Adesanya move further into his shell as the New Zealander struggled to make his mark on the American defence.
Strickland sensed an opportunity to go after the champion and a flurry of punches and kicks in the final minute helped secure the decision and the middleweight title.
“You don’t fight this guy with that many highlight-reel knockouts,” Strickland said of Adesanya. Most of my friends, he beat very easily. Even I was doubting myself at times.”
“But I have to say, the fans in Australia, you guys inspired me. When I’m walking here and I hear you guys yelling. In that fourth inning, I hear you guys yelling. It got me. Fueled.”
The UFC fight made news in the New South Wales state legislature. Where the government’s top politician was forced to defend his state’s nearly $10 million payment to ensure the UFC event was held in Sydney. For the first time since 2017, following Strickland’s sexist and abusive comments about putting women back in the kitchen.
In the co-main event, Alexander Volkov (37-10) won his heavyweight bout against 30-year-old Sydney-born Tai Tuivasa in the second round.
‘It all starts with me’: Alabama Football coach on loss to Texas