With 49-46, 49-46 & 49-46 score, Strickland edged Adesanya out by unanimous decision, ending the Last Stylebender’s reign as UFC champion.
The audience was stunned at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, as Sean Strickland defeated Isreal Adesanya to become the new UFC 293 middleweight champion.
With 49-46, 49-46 & 49-46 score, Strickland edged Adesanya out by unanimous decision, ending his second reign as UFC champion.
The UFC had offered Strickland in place of Dricus Du Plessis, who was originally scheduled to fight Adesanya.
But Strickland turned to outstruck Adesanya, famous for being the best striker in MMA, staging a major upset in 25 minutes.
Strickland, 32, came into the fight as an underdog with a modest record of two-fight winning streak only to end Adesanya’s second reign five months after the Last Stylebender reclaimed his belt from Alex Pereira in April.
