Israel Adesanya, a two-time UFC champion, lost his middleweight title when Sean Strickland delivered an exceptional performance in the main event of UFC 293. While Strickland displayed dominant striking and defense throughout the fight, the former champion, Izzy, has now commented on this huge upset.
‘The Stylebender’ did not fail to credit Strickland for his top-class performance in Sydney, Australia, at UFC 293 and admitted that ‘Tarzan’ did not let him find his rhythm throughout the fight because of his strong game plan.
Izzy, one of the best strikers in the UFC, displayed an unusual lack of precision in his striking and timing, enabling Strickland to advance aggressively while carefully evading the incoming strikes. However, the former champion maintains confidence that making minor tactical adjustments will enable him to succeed in the future.
View this post on Instagram
Adesanya then talked about the conversation he had with the new champion, Sean Strickland, moments after the latter was given the middleweight belt by Dana White inside the octagon. It was a moment beyond anyone’s imagination, including Strickland himself. So, naturally, he had tears in his eyes when he got to know that he had become the champ.
Izzy told Strickland to stop crying and also had a warning for him: “I was like, don’t bring my family into this. He said I was sorry. I am sorry”.
Seeing such a genuine and vulnerable moment between the two was a heartwarming sight for the fight fans. However, popular YouTuber ‘The MMA Guru’ was not too convinced by this statement, as he accused Adesanya of gaslighting Strickland.
“I dont think it was genuine. You tried to gaslight Strickland into not roasting you, like you would have done to him,” said The MMA Guru. He also accused Adesanya of using Sean Strickland’s emotional moments to his own advantage.
Israel Adesanya is not interested in a rematch with Sean Strickland
In the post-fight conference after UFC 293, UFC president Dana White looked eager for an immediate rematch between the two middleweight veterans. However, it seems like Israel Adesanya isn’t particularly interested in regaining the title right away.
“The belt’s never mattered to me. I mean, it does obviously, but how many times have I said it’s just a fancy tiara that brings more money and this and that, rah, rah, rah?” said Adesanya on his YouTube channel.
The loss against Strickland was probably one of the biggest upsets in the history of UFC, and the way ‘Tarzan’ beat Izzy was also an unimaginable sight for many. However, the former champion seems like he is enjoying the process and taking one step at a time. Who should be Sean Strickland’s opponent for his first title defense? Tell us in the comments.