UFC : Strickland shocks Isreal Adesanya to become new Middleweight champion

UFC : Strickland shocks Isreal Adesanya to become new Middleweight champion

By Emmanuel Chinedu

It was a difficult night for Nigerian-born martial Art fighter Isreal Adesanya after Sean Strickland pulled off a big upset on Saturday by defeating him to win the middleweight title in Sydney, Australia, The BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 32-year-old combined constant forward movement with solid defence and clinical output at UFC 293.

In doing so, the American beat Adesanya 49-46 on all three scorecards.

As early as the first round, Strickland dropped the Nigerian-New Zealander with a picture-perfect right cross.

The punch sent Adesanya spinning to the canvas before seeking a finish.

Strickland could not quite find the knockout blow, however, as Adesanya survived to the buzzer.

The ensuing rounds were close but Strickland always seemed to be a step ahead of Adesanya, who congratulated his tearful conqueror after the result was confirmed