The mental battle leading up to the anticipated fight between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland at UFC 293 has kicked off on social media, with both fighters engaging in a war of words. The reigning UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has responded to Sean Strickland’s provocative comments regarding his nationality.
On multiple occasions, Strickland has taken aim at Adesanya, even resorting to derogatory comments by referring to him as ‘Chinese’. In a spirited response, Adesanya took to his social media platform and posted a video of himself dining with an Asian friend. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, Adesanya humorously claimed to be Chinese and vowed to knock Strickland out for insulting their shared heritage, stating, “I’d knock this guy [Sean Strickland] out. He disrespected our country. He disrespected our Chinese country. I’d knock him out in the name of China.”
Adesanya’s Defense vs. Strickland’s Pursuit
This heated exchange sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between the two fighters, scheduled to take place on September 10 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Adesanya, known for his striking prowess and quick wit, is coming off a spectacular knockout victory at UFC 287, where he avenged his loss to Alex Pereira and reclaimed his middleweight championship.
In contrast, Strickland is riding a wave of momentum with a two-fight win streak. His most recent triumph came in July when he faced Abus Magomedov, securing a second-round knockout victory. Notably, this win marked Strickland’s first knockout victory since November 2020. His impressive performance earned him a well-deserved ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus, totaling $50,000.
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The tension between Adesanya and Strickland has added an extra layer of intrigue to their upcoming clash. While the verbal sparring has certainly entertained fans, the real showdown will take place inside the octagon. Adesanya, with his championship experience and striking expertise, will look to defend his middleweight throne against the hungry and determined Strickland.
As the fight date approaches, fans can expect the pre-fight banter to intensify. Adesanya and Strickland have set the stage for a battle not only for the middleweight championship but also for pride and honor. UFC 293 promises to be a spectacle that MMA enthusiasts around the world will eagerly anticipate, with the question of who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes showdown hanging in the balance.