A first-round knockdown by the American was the highlight of the fight of the Middleweight championship that went the whole five rounds on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

In Round Two, Strickland, who is an American was so aggressive in seeking the finish in that last round. He was really accurate with his ground and pound, and also with the strikes he threw once Adesanya had stood back up; but the American just couldn’t quite find the blow to finish the fight early.

But Adesanya is still on the back foot in this second round, but he looks solid. He’s trying to stay calm.

Israel Adesanya pops a cross to the body. Overall, Strickland is maintaining his range well; moving in to attack but cautious of Adesanya’s danger when he is too close.

Late in the round, Adesanya hits Strickalnd with a jab and then fires a leg kick which is a nice turn from Strickland. But there’s Adesanya with another big overhand right that connects.

Strickland grazes Adesanya with a right during the waning seconds.

Adesanya ties it up.

(10-9 Adesanya, 19-19)

The Round Three saw Strickland still edging forward. Adesanya sends out a front kick to the body, but it doesn’t land clean.

Now Adesanya comes forward and increases his jabs and kicks, but Strickland is doing a decent job at covering up and blocking.

Adesanya with a good right cross and Strickland sends out his right hand which partially lands on the champion.

Adesanya kicks low. OH! Hard one-two by Strickland. The challenger checks a leg kick and lands a jab.

Right from the champ and a counter left lands for Strickland. Short jab connects for Strickland. Close round and one that Strickland stuck in just enough clean shots late to take it.

(10-9 Strickland, 29-28 Strickland)

Sean Strickland defeated Isreal Adeanya to become the new UFC middleweight champion of the world with all judges scoring the fight in his favour at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.

Adesanya lands a jab which jolts back the head of Strickland then lands a body kick and narrowly evades a hook.

He sends out one of his own, but it’s off-target.

Again Adesanya misses, and he’s tagged by a hard left hook! A one-two lands for Strickland!

Adesanya with a slapping body kick. Good counter-jab by him, too. Strickland catches Adesanya hard!

It’s a really close round and both fighters may be tied heading into the final round.

All three judges scored the fight 49-46 for the American and new middleweight world champion, Strickland. He did it with nonstop pressure and steady, upright boxing never once attempting a grapple.

It is back to the drawing board for the Nigerian-born fighter Adesanya as he was on the back foot throughout the clash at UFC 293.

This is his third loss bringing his record to 24-3 now while Strickland edge to 28-5.