Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 tonight.
Adesanya regained the title in April by knocking out his old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira, five months after the Brazilian took the belt from Adesanya. The Nigerian-New Zealander will look to get his second run as champion off to a good start tonight, as he fights Strickland in Sydney.
While Adesanya, 34, has proven divisive among fans, American Strickland has courted greater controversy in recent years. The 32-year-old claimed in 2021 that he would like to ‘kill’ an opponent in the ring one day, but it has not stopped him from getting the greater share of cheers in Australia this week.
While he will be the apparent fan favourite at UFC 293, Adesanya is the betting favourite, with his counter-striking expected to be too slick for the game but limited Strickland.
Follow live updates from the UFC 293 main event and under card, below.
UFC 293 LIVE
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Israel Adesanya defends middleweight title against Sean Strickland
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Title fight headlines UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia
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Adesanya became two-time champion with KO of Alex Pereira in April
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Pereira had taken belt from Adesanya with TKO in November
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Strickland is on two-fight win streak after his own KO loss to Pereira last year
UFC 293 LIVE
Saturday 9 September 2023 22:00 , Alex Pattle
Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 tonight.
Adesanya regained the title in April by knocking out his old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira, five months after the Brazilian took the belt from Adesanya. The Nigerian-New Zealander will look to get his second run as champion off to a good start tonight, as he fights Strickland in Sydney.
While Adesanya, 34, has proven divisive among fans, American Strickland has courted greater controversy in recent years. The 32-year-old claimed in 2021 that he would like to ‘kill’ an opponent in the ring one day, but it has not stopped him from getting the greater share of cheers in Australia this week.
While he will be the apparent fan favourite at UFC 293, Adesanya is the betting favourite, with his counter-striking expected to be too slick for the game but limited Strickland.
