Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision to take the middleweight belt, in one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.
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Adesanya was trying to defend his title for a sixth time and was a heavy-betting favourite to win against Strickland. But Strickland knocked Adesanya down in the first round — the first knockdown of Adesanya’s career — setting the zone for a bout in which the defending champion could never maintain sustained pressure.
Strickland, who improved to 9-2 at middleweight, took advantage of some fortunate schedulemaking to get his chance at a title. With No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Dricus du Plessis not available, but New Zeland-native Adesanya deemed a big draw for UFC 293 in Sydney, Strickland was granted a shot at the title. And he didn’t let it go to waste.
