Israel Adesanya, the former middleweight champion, suffered a shocking setback on Saturday night, surrendering his title to Sean Strickland in a unanimous decision at UFC 293 in Sydney.
The fight, which took place at Qudos Bank Arena, saw Strickland dominate the proceedings, marking Adesanya’s second loss in three bouts, an unexpected turn for the fighter who once reigned supreme in the division.
Adesanya’s rollercoaster journey began when he relinquished the belt to Alex Pereira in November, only to swiftly reclaim it in an immediate rematch this April. However, fate took another twist, as he lost the title yet again to Strickland in their recent clash. Enhance your MMA viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet, one of the best MMA betting sites.
UFC president Dana White has already expressed interest in an Adesanya-Strickland rematch, but not everyone agrees with this idea. UFC Hall of Famer and color commentator Daniel Cormier has a different perspective.
“The last time Izzy lost, all we could speak about was he should be next again,” Cormier remarked during the UFC 293 pay-per-view broadcast. “I don’t think that this time. I don’t think he should fight for a belt next. I don’t think he should get an automatic rematch. I think the division needs to move on a little bit.”
While Adesanya is undoubtedly a marquee name in the middleweight division, there are other deserving contenders who should get their shot at Strickland. Dricus Du Plessis, fresh off an upset victory over Robert Whittaker in July, has a strong case. Jared Cannonier, the backup fighter at UFC 293, is another viable option, and the winner of next month’s UFC 294 showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa could join the mix.
Cormier envisions a future where these fighters have their chance against Strickland before Adesanya returns to the title picture. He noted, “It’s like a brand new world, right? Like The Little Mermaid – a whole new world. Sean Strickland now opens up the possibility of so many fresh matchups. Cannonier just weighed in also and has a victory over Sean Strickland.
“But I’ve got to imagine Dricus Du Plessis will be the next guy, especially after being the one that was supposed to be here tonight. I’ll tell you, he’s kicking himself in South Africa right now, because if there was a time to get Adesanya, tonight was the night. There was a lot that goes into this fight, and Sean Strickland did what he was supposed to do. But I figure Du Plessis, unless Khamzat Chimaev just completely wipes out Paulo Costa.”
As the middleweight division undergoes a transformation, the road ahead is paved with potential matchups and intriguing challenges, promising an exciting era for UFC fans. Get the latest updates from the world of MMA only on Nextbet Sports.
