Israel Adesanya loses middleweight title in stunning upset against Sean Strickland

Israel Adesanya loses middleweight title in stunning upset against Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland defeated Isreal Adeanya to become the new middleweight champion of the world with all judges scoring the fight in his favour.

Strickland almost finished Adesanya late in the first round of the title fight Sunday in Sydney, Australia, in the main event of UFC 293.

Strickland then went on to score one of the biggest upsets in the UFC history by winning a unanimous decision over Adesanya largely by defusing Adesanya’s offence.

It was a jab and a right hand and a great defence that led Strickland to the win.

Judges scored it 49-46 on all cards for Strickland. Yahoo Sports reports that Strickland gave Adesanya only the second round.

Strickland said after the fight, “You don’t fight that guy with how many highlight-reel knockout?

“He’s beaten the majority of my friends [and] he’s beaten them pretty easily. And man, I was even down on myself at times, but I’ve got to thank the fans of Australia. You guys motivated me.”