UFC 293 LIVE: Adesanya vs Strickland updates and results tonight
Re-live updates after Israel Adesanya lost his middleweight title to the controversial Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history on Saturday, outstriking and outpointing Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title in Sydney.
Few fans or pundits believed that Strickland had a chance to dethrone Adesanya, one of mixed martial arts’ finest strikers, but the challenger combined constant forward movement with solid defence and clinical output at UFC 293. In doing so, the controversial American – who claimed in 2021 that he would like to “kill” an opponent in the ring one day – beat Adesanya 49-46 on all three scorecards.
Strickland, 32, dropped the Nigerian-New Zealander late in Round 1 with a picture-perfect right cross, sending Adesanya spinning to the canvas before seeking a finish. Strickland could not quite find the knockout blow, however, as Adesanya, 34, survived to the buzzer.
The ensuing rounds were close, but Strickland always seemed to be a step ahead of Adesanya, who congratulated his tearful conqueror after the result was confirmed, despite a heated build to the main event.
Re-live updates from the UFC 293 main event and undercard, below.
UFC 293 LIVE
Meanwhile, Strickland suffered a knockout loss to Pereira in the first round last July, then a decision defeat by Jared Cannonier in December, but he has since bounced back by outpointing Nassourdine Imavov and knocking out Abus Magomedov this year.
UFC 293 LIVE
Adesanya’s second UFC title win saw him avenge his defeat by Pereira from November, when the Brazilian beat the “Last Stylebender” via TKO:
Alex Pereira ends Israel Adesanya’s title reign with comeback TKO at UFC 281
Pereira replicated his kickboxing wins against Adesanya to claim the UFC middleweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York City
UFC 293 LIVE
While we wait for the first fight of the main card to start, here’s a look back at Adesanya’s last fight, when he regained the middleweight title from old foe Alex Pereira – in stunning fashion, no less...
Israel Adesanya gains revenge over Alex Pereira with stunning knockout at UFC 287
After three defeats by the Brazilian, Adesanya ‘played possum’ before unleashing a devastating right hook to clinch victory
UFC 293 LIVE
Prelim results:
Carlos Ulberg def. Da Un Jung via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:49)
Chepe Mariscal def. Jack Jenkins via second-round TKO (elbow injury, 3:19)
Jamie Mullarkey def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nasrat Haqparast def. Landon Quinones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Charlie Radtke def. Blood Diamond via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Gabriel Miranda def. Shane Young via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 0:59)
Kevin Jousset def. Kiefer Crosbie via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:49)
UFC 293 LIVE
The main card is upon us!
UFC 293 LIVE
Where does Israel Adesanya rank in the Indy Sport pound-for-pound list?
Find out here...
The Independent’s pound-for-pound UFC rankings
Here are our top 10 men’s fighters in the UFC, in a list to be updated throughout the year
UFC 293 LIVE
Earlier this week, Jared Cannonier was revealed as the back-up fighter for tonight’s main event.
Barring any very late injuries or such, the American should not be needed.
That said, Robert Whittaker was forced out of a middleweight title fight in Australia in 2019, on just a few hours’ notice!
Back-up fighter revealed for Adesanya vs Strickland at UFC 293
Cannonier lost to Israel Adesanya in a title fight last July, before beating Sean Strickland in December
UFC 293 LIVE
The card is airing live on TNT Sports in the UK tonight, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights.
In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.
More info here:
How to watch Adesanya vs Strickland at UFC 293 tonight
All you need to know as Israel Adesanya defends the middleweight title against Sean Strickland in Sydney
UFC 293 LIVE
The UFC 293 prelims are under way as we speak. We’ll give you a round-up of those results when our main-card updates begin.
Until then, here’s a look at the card in full:
UFC 293 card in full as Adesanya defends title against Strickland tonight
All you need to know as Israel Adesanya defends the middleweight title against Sean Strickland in Sydney
UFC 293 LIVE
Adesanya has been the betting favourite in all but one of his UFC bouts, even his rematch with Alex Pereira, and that is no different against Strickland.
The “Last Stylebender” is expected to dissect and damage his challenger at will. While Adesanya possesses less power than Alex Pereira, who was the last man to beat Strickland (via knockout in July 2022), he is an even more dynamic striker than the Brazilian.
Adesanya can employ the kind of counter-strikes that Strickland risks walking straight into – if the latter’s approach against Pereira is anything to go by.
Full main-event preview:
Why Adesanya vs Strickland may turn ugly, quickly
Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight title against the controversial challenger at UFC 293
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