Strickland defeats Adesanya to become new middleweight champion

Sean Strickland emerged victorious over Israel Adesanya, clinching the title of the new UFC middleweight champion of the world. The unanimous decision from the judges occurred at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.

The American fighter delivered a memorable first-round knockdown, which stood out in a match that lasted the full five rounds.

All three judges unanimously scored the fight 49-46 in favor of the American, crowning Strickland as the new middleweight world champion. His victory was achieved through relentless pressure and a consistent, stand-up boxing strategy, without attempting a single grapple.

For the Nigerian-born fighter, Adesanya, it’s a return to the drawing board, as he spent the entire UFC 293 bout on the defensive.

This marks his third loss, bringing his record to 24-3, while Strickland’s impressive win boosts his record to 28-5.