In an unexpected turn of events, Sean Strickland authored one of the biggest upsets in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history. Strickland, an Xtreme Couture export, outboxed and outwitted Israel Adesanya to a stunning unanimous decision, capturing the undisputed middleweight crown at UFC 293. Held at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Strickland (28-5, 15-5 UFC) swept the scorecards with 49-46 marks from all three members of the cageside judiciary.
Adesanya (24-3, 13-3 UFC) never found his rhythm. Strickland’s standup defense was virtually bulletproof, limiting Adesanya to one shot at a time in the majority of their exchanges. Strickland moved forward throughout the fight, wearing down the champion with pressure and keeping him on his back foot. When the final horn sounded, the normally confident Adesanya looked like a man resigned to his fate.
Volkov Choke Stops Tuivasa
In the heavyweight co-main event, former Bellator MMA and M-1 Global titleholder Alexander Volkov put away Tai Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke in the second round. Tuivasa (14-6, 8-6 UFC) bowed out 4:37 into Round 2, suffering his third straight defeat. Volkov (37-10, 11-4 UFC) tore into the Aussie with a punishing jab, brutal body kicks, and powerful right hands on the counter. The 6-foot-7 Russian finally caught a kick late in the middle stanza, tripped Tuivasa to the floor, and climbed to full mount. From there, he framed the Ezekiel choke, applied a smothering squeeze, and elicited the tapout.
Kape Handles Replacement Dos Santos
One-time Rizin Fighting Federation champion Manel Kape outstruck the previously unbeaten Felipe dos Santos to a unanimous decision in an entertaining three-round flyweight attraction. All three cageside judges scored it for Kape (19-6, 4-2 UFC): 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. Dos Santos (7-1, 0-1 UFC), a short-notice fill-in for Kai Kara-France, showed off his skills and fortitude that have made him one of the prospects to watch on the Brazilian regional scene. However, Kape proved to be the superior fighter in a majority of their exchanges, ripping punches to the body and head, countering effectively throughout, and even mixing in a takedown in the closing seconds of the match.
Ferocious Tafa Buries Lane
Lastly, former Xtreme Fighting Championships titleholder Justin Tafa brought down two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum Justin Tafa with punches in the opening round of their heavyweight rematch. Tafa (7-3, 4-3 UFC) drew the curtain 1:22 into Round 1. Lane (12-4, 0-1 UFC) tested the water with body kicks but failed to keep his chin tucked and paid the price. Tafa decked him with a left hook and then crashed in with a burst of standing-to-ground punches from both hands, leaving the referee no choice but to intervene.