UFC 293 had fans on the edge of their seats as Sean Strickland pulled off a massive upset to snatch the middleweight title from Israel Adesanya. But there were other standout performances on the main card that set the stage for some intriguing developments. Let’s break down the night’s biggest moments.
Adesanya’s Hometown Advantage Turned Upside Down Israel Adesanya had the perfect setup for his fight in Sydney, not far from his home in Auckland, New Zealand. But this time, it was Adesanya who took the punches. Strickland’s straight right hand in Round 1 was a game-changer. Although Adesanya showed resilience and won the second round, he couldn’t stop Strickland’s relentless advances.
Adesanya landed only 34% of his strikes, struggling to counter Strickland’s pressure. Strickland’s forward momentum wore down the champ, culminating in a triumphant moment for Strickland when the final horn sounded.
Strickland’s victory presents a unique challenge for the UFC. While he may not fit the mold of dominant past champions, Strickland’s controversial comments in the past now loom larger after his win.
The Era of Short-Lived UFC Championships Long gone are the days of extended championship reigns. Recent history shows a revolving door of champions, with few able to defend their titles consistently. Only Alexander Volkanovski has made more than one title defense among current champions.
The past five months have seen titles change hands or champions vacate belts at an alarming rate. The middleweight division now has Strickland as its champion, a fighter who had a mixed record in his recent bouts but earned the gold in an impressive fashion.
The question now is whether Strickland’s reign will be a short-lived one or if he can elevate the sport during his time at the top.
What’s Next for the New Champ and Former Champ? Dana White suggests an immediate rematch between Strickland and Adesanya is the way to go. Adesanya’s performance left many questions unanswered, and it’s crucial to determine if Strickland’s victory was due to Adesanya’s off-night or Strickland’s skill.
If a rematch isn’t in the cards, Dricus Du Plessis emerges as a potential challenger, considering the middleweight division’s upcoming movements, including the Costa vs. Chimaev fight.
The Rise of Alexander Volkov Alexander Volkov’s Ezekiel choke submission win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC 293 raises questions about his potential as a heavyweight contender. While not often mentioned among top challengers, Volkov’s height and reach make him a formidable opponent.
At just 34 years old, Volkov could be hitting his prime, and his move to Las Vegas and training at the UFC Performance Institute may further boost his career.
Volkov’s Next Opponent Volkov’s history includes losses to some of the division’s best, which could limit the excitement around his fights. Derrick Lewis, who Volkov has history with, could be a suitable next opponent. Their previous encounter saw Volkov winning until Lewis pulled off a late comeback.
A wild card option could be Serghei Spivac, given their similar timing and rankings.
Manel Kape’s Path Forward Manel Kape called out Kai Kara-France for his next fight after his victory at UFC 293. The matchup was initially scheduled before Kara-France’s injury, and it remains the logical choice. The two fighters match up well stylistically, promising an entertaining contest.
A wildcard option could be Matheus Nicolau, with whom Kape had a close split decision loss in 2021. Nicolau, despite a recent loss, remains ranked higher and could be a backup option.