Following the spectacular demolition of long-term rival Alex Pereira to regain the Middleweight championship in April, Israel Adesanya steps into the Octagon for the second time this year, seeking to continue his domination of the 185-pound division when he squares off against number five ranked Sean Strickland in Sydney at UFC 293. Already, the fireworks have been set off by Strickland, who mocked Adesanya for wearing nail polish. In response, “The Last Stylebender” called “Tarzan” an idiot. The Middleweight championship bout headlines UFC 293 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
MMA: UFC Middleweight Championship
Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Where to watch: ESPN+ PPV
Date: 10.09.2023. 7:00
Israel Adesanya
A lot had been written about the flamboyance and skill of Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya. Still, last April against Alex Pereira, “The Last Stylebender” wrote another chapter in the script of his career by adding grit and heart to knockout Pereira. With the Brazilian successfully moving up to Light Heavyweight, the reign of Adesanya looks set to continue. The two-time Middleweight champ has sworn to put Strickland to sleep down under as he defends his title closer to his home in New Zealand. An exceptional striker, the former professional Kickboxer and boxer is UFC royalty.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 34
- Height: 6’ 4”
- Reach: 80”
- Record: 24-2
I got Izzy winning just because he’s more versatile. He does everything that Sean does, just way more calculated. Izzy could beat Strickland in a boxing match if he had to. I think he’s more calculated, and I think his power is a few steps up about Strickland as well.
Sean Strickland
The 32-year-old American enters the Octagon for the third time this year. Following two losses in the second half of 2022, “Tarzan’s” plans have gone smoothly with wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abusupiyan Magomedov. His July bout over Magomedov was essentially a title eliminator. The controversial, trash-talking Californian turned professional at seventeen and is a former KOTC Middleweight champion. Sean Strickland has competed primarily at Welterweight and Middleweight, although his bout with Imavov was at Light Heavyweight.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 32
- Height: 6’ 1”
- Reach: 76”
- Record: 27-5
He’s an idiot. I’m not going to lose to an idiot. He says he won’t lose to a guy who watches cartoons or paints his nails. Well, I’m going to paint my nails for that fight, and I’m going to knock him out with my painted nails.
Betting Odds
Israel Adesanya is the massive favorite with the bookies. There’s some value in the rounds betting with the over 3.5 priced at 2.08 odds on 1XBET while the under is available at 1.7. A few brave analysts have their fingers crossed for the upset. Any willing bettor thinking alike can get the underdog at 5.10 on Bet9ja and 5.50 on Bet365.
