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: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
Round 1
Adesanya has stayed southpaw for a while now. Strong jab lands for Strickland.
Hard low kick by Adesanya, and another. One more. He circles away as Strickland marches forward.
Adesanya is happy to take a largely patient approach so far. You know he’d love Strickland to open up, though, and allow some counters.
And there they are: a couple of nice counter jabs by the champion, just when Strickland thinks he has Adesanya where he wants him.
Adesanya covers up to block a one-two. He throws a head kick, but it’s not quite there.
OH!!!! STRICKLAND DROPS ADESANYA WITH A HARD RIGHT CROSS! WHAT ON EARTH?! HE POURS ON PUNCHES!!
ADESANYA IS ABLE TO GET BACK TO HIS FEET, BUT BARELY! STRICKLAND STEALS THE ROUND!
UFC 293 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
Round 1
Both men stand orthodox. Strickland presses forward and catches a body kick. He checks a low kick.
Adesanya lands a grazing body kick now, as Strickland keeps him close to the fence. Low kick by the challenger.
Adesanya tries a cross, but it’s just out of range. Lots of feints from the champion as usual. Strickland bites on one and backs up, but then he comes forward and lands a low kick.
Adesanya switches stances back and forth.
UFC 293 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
Here we go! No touch of gloves!
UFC 293 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
Now Adesanya makes his way to the ring.
The Nigerian-New Zealander, 34, has a pro record of 24-2 – 16 KO/TKOs; 0 submissions; 8 decision wins.
One of his losses came via TKO, and the other was a decision loss to then-light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in 2021.
UFC 293 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
Strickland is making his walk.
The 32-year-old American looks a little nervous, but he often does, in all honesty.
He brings a 27-5 professional record into this one – 11 KO/TKOs; 4 submissions; 12 decision wins.
Two of his losses have come via KO/TKO; three have come via decision.
UFC 293 LIVE: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
It’s time for the main event. Israel Adesanya defends the UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland...
Here’s our main-event preview, while we wait for the walkouts:
Why Adesanya vs Strickland may turn ugly, quickly
Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight title against the controversial challenger at UFC 293
UFC 293 LIVE: Tai Tuivasa vs Alexander Volkov
Round 2
Tuivasa is hammering low kicks at Volkov, whose movement does appear a little compromised...
Good knee from Volkov in the clinch, as he just about finds Tuivasa’s chin.
Oh! Down goes Tuivasa again, and Volkov looks to hold him on the mat this time! He tries a guillotine from side mount, but it’s not there.
Tuivasa is able to scramble to his feet, and now he’s going after Volkov! He’s tiring himself out, though, and just seems to fall to the mat while throwing a kick...
Volkov capitalises with some ground and pound then secures mount! More strikes rain down! Tuivasa gives up his back!
He’s able to twist back to face Volkov, though, taking the rear naked choke off the table. But Volkov is able to slide his hand under Tuivasa’s head, and he secures the Ezekiel choke from on top!!
Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa via second-round submission (Ezekiel choke, 4:37)
UFC 293 LIVE: Tai Tuivasa vs Alexander Volkov
Round 1
Both men stand orthodox. Decent counter punches from Volkov as Tuivasa comes forward.
Tuivasa curls a hook into the body of Volkov, who is dwarfing the Aussie.
Volkov kicks low then to the body. Now he forces Tuivasa to block a head kick, after the home favourite lunges into range with a risky combination.
Volkov catches a kick and tags Tuivasa with a nice cross. Now the Russian works the body with a harsh kick and a few punches.
Volkov is timing Tuivasa’s kicks, firing over the top with punches.
Oh! A short right cross drops Tuivasa to his knees! Volkov looks to follow up, on the canvas then against the cage, but he’s not rushing...
Tuivasa is able to get into space, and he makes it to the end of the round, but only after a brutal flurry from Volkov!
UFC 293 LIVE
It’s already time for the co-main event! Australia’s own Tai Tuivasa takes on Russian veteran Alexander Volkov.
UFC 293 LIVE: Manel Kape vs Felipe dos Santos
Kape goes after Kai Kara-France, who is in the crowd, calling the Kiwi a “piece of s***” over and over.
Kara-France was Kape’s original opponent here, but he had to withdraw due to a concussion.
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