In a night that will go down in UFC history, Sean Strickland achieved the seemingly impossible by dethroning Israel Adesanya and securing the coveted UFC middleweight championship. Strickland’s game plan was straightforward – overpower Adesanya and claim the middleweight title. It was a strategy executed flawlessly throughout the fight. The UFC double champion Daniel Cormier has now brought into question whether Dana White should grant Izzy a rematch.
Shocking Upset: Daniel Cormier Said Israel Adesanya Doesn’t Deserve A Rematch After Sean Strickland’s Dominant Victory
Strickland unleashed relentless, devastating strikes on Adesanya, moments where a TKO victory appeared inevitable. Yet, Adesanya’s unwavering determination pushed the fight into the fifth round. In the end, Strickland secured a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-46. This result solidified one of the most remarkable upsets in UFC championship history.
However, the post-fight discussion took an unexpected turn. Daniel Cormier, the UFC Double Champ, expressed a divergent view during the post-event wrap-up on ESPN+ pay-per-view. “The last time Izzy lost, all we could speak about was he should be next again,” said Cormier. “I don’t think that this time. I don’t think he should fight for a belt next time. I don’t think he should get an automatic rematch. I think the division needs to move on a little bit.”
Daniel Cormier wants fresh blood in the middleweight title picture 👀
Full story: https://t.co/sWMdc9vUrz pic.twitter.com/NmSSObINeF
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 11, 2023
Shocking Upset: Daniel Cormier Said Israel Adesanya Doesn’t Deserve A Rematch After Sean Strickland’s Dominant Victory
Saturday night at UFC 293, all judges agreed that Strickland won the fight, awarding him a decisive 4-1 victory against Adesanya. This outcome raised questions about the future of Adesanya, who was attempting the first defense of his second title reign after knocking out Pereira in an immediate rematch at UFC 287.
The upset sent shockwaves through the MMA world, leaving fans and experts alike pondering what comes next for Adesanya. It’s a situation reminiscent of his previous loss, where immediate rematch talks dominated the conversation. However, this time, Cormier’s perspective suggests a different course of action.
In the wake of this stunning upset, it’s essential to consider the implications for the middleweight division. Strickland’s dominant performance has unquestionably earned him the championship belt, and Adesanya’s future remains uncertain.
Adesanya’s journey to reclaim the title will undoubtedly be a captivating storyline to follow, but for now, the division appears poised to heed Cormier’s advice and move forward. As the dust settles on this historic night, one thing is certain – the UFC middleweight division has a new king, and Israel Adesanya’s path back to the throne is far from guaranteed.
