Strickland defeats Israel Adesanya, becomes new middleweight champion

In a thrilling showdown at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, Sean Strickland emerged victorious over Israel Adesanya, securing the UFC middleweight championship in a unanimous decision by all judges.

The fight unfolded over five intense rounds, with the American fighter delivering a stunning first-round knockdown that set the tone for the entire bout. Strickland’s relentless pressure and consistent, upright boxing dominated the fight, with no attempts at grappling.

All three judges concurred, scoring the fight 49-46 in favor of Sean Strickland, who now wears the crown as the new middleweight world champion. This marks a significant achievement in Strickland’s career, solidifying his position among the elite fighters in the UFC.

Meanwhile, for the Nigerian-born fighter Israel Adesanya, it’s back to the drawing board after a challenging match where he spent much of the contest on the defensive. This loss brings Adesanya’s professional record to 24 wins and 3 losses.