Sean Strickland shocks Israel Adesanya and MMA world with title win at UFC 293
Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history on Saturday, outstriking and outpointing Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title in Sydney. Few fans or pundits believed that Strickland had a chance to dethrone Adesanya, one of mixed martial arts’ finest strikers, but the challenger combined constant forward movement with solid defence and clinical output at UFC 293. In doing so, the controversial American – who claimed in 2021 that he would like to “kill” an opponent in the ring one day – beat Adesanya 49-46 on all three scorecards. Strickland, 32, dropped the Nigerian-New Zealander late in Round 1 with a picture-perfect right cross, sending Adesanya spinning to the canvas before seeking a finish. Strickland could not quite find the knockout blow, however, as Adesanya, 34, survived to the buzzer. The champion appeared to level the score in Round 2, remaining calm, switching stances and using feints to good effect – as he so often does. The “Last Stylebender” also worked the body of Strickland well, but the challenger would soon get back out in front. The third round saw limited output from both middleweights, until Strickland landed a one-two, left hook and stinging jab late in the frame. Still, the main event was in the balance, with Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick telling him before the championship rounds: “I don’t want to lose a boring-ass decision.” There was no sign whatsoever of Strickland looking to wrestle, despite many believing that such an approach would be his only chance of success. In fact, the American had a body-lock opportunity in Round 4, when Adesanya overshot a strike, but Strickland let go of his opponent. While Adesanya increased his output in the final round, he was still a step behind Strickland, who continued to press forward and even began to talk to his rival late in the round. When the final buzzer sounded, Nicksick hoisted a tearful Strickland aloft, before the American’s championship victory was confirmed. Adesanya then appeared to pay respect to Strickland, burying the hatchet after a heated build to their fight. Much of Strickland’s post-fight, in-ring interview was censored by TNT Sports. With the result, Adesanya lost the middleweight title for the second time. In November, he suffered a TKO loss to his old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira, but Adesanya regained the belt by knocking out the Brazilian in a rematch in April. Pereira, who also knocked out Strickland last July, helped the American train for Saturday’s main event, which saw Strickland seal a third straight win since his loss to Pereira. UFC 293 results Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya (C) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa via second-round submission (Ezekiel choke, 4:37) Manel Kape def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Justin Tafa def. Austen Lane via first-round TKO (punches, 1:22) Tyson Pedro def Anton Turkalj via first-round KO (punches, 2:12) Carlos Ulberg def. Da Un Jung via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:49) Chepe Mariscal def. Jack Jenkins via second-round TKO (elbow injury, 3:19) Jamie Mullarkey def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Nasrat Haqparast def. Landon Quinones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Charlie Radtke def. Blood Diamond via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) Gabriel Miranda def. Shane Young via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 0:59) Kevin Jousset def. Kiefer Crosbie via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 4:49) Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Fans tear apart Tyson Fury over claim that Francis Ngannou poses tougher test than Oleksandr Usyk UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list Israel Adesanya’s coach reveals strange request after shock loss to Sean Strickland UFC 293 LIVE: Adesanya vs Strickland updates and results tonight Back-up fighter revealed for Adesanya vs Strickland at UFC 293
1970-01-01 08:00
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev meet again in the US Open men's final
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev will meet again to determine the U.S. Open men’s champion
1970-01-01 08:00
Is Ireland vs Netherlands on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 qualifier online
It has not been a smooth start for Ireland in their qualifiers so far, a 2-0 defeat to France on Thursday has left them with just three points from their first four matches, putting s a significant dent in their hopes of qualification. It has left the game against Netherlands as a must-win to keep any chances of reaching the coveted main Euro 2024 in Germany alive, as a victory on Sunday would put them level on points with the Dutch team. Currently Netherlands are second in the group behind France, but with two games in hand they could push for top place, while Ireland’s chances remain minimal. Ireland go into the game fourth in the group, three points behind third-place Greece, having played the same number of games. Here’s everything you need to know: When is Ireland vs Netherlands? Ireland host the Netherlands on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with kick off at 7.45pm BST. Where can I watch it? The game will not be shown on television in the UK but can be watched via streaming service Viaplay Sports. What is the team news? Ireland are expected to be without Brighton player Evan Ferguson for the upcoming match after he sustained an injury ruling him out of the international matches. Michael Obafemi, Troy Parrott, Callum Robinson, and Mikey Johnston are already ruled out through injury, leaving Ireland manager Stephen Kenny short of options. With the injury to Ferguson, Ireland could stick with Adam Idah and Chiedoze Ogbene up front, as they did against France. Predicted line-ups Ireland XI: Bazunu, Collins, Duffy, Egan, Brown, Molumby, Cullen, Stevens, Ogbene, Idah, Knight Netherlands XI: Flekken, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Ake, Dumfries, de Roon, de Jong, Blind, Simons, Gakpo, Weghorst Odds and tips Ireland 7/2 Draw 9/4 Netherlands 8/13 Latest football odds and tips here Prediction Given the calibre of the Netherlands’ squad and Ireland’s recent form, the visitors will just edge it but it will be a difficult match and the home side will put in everything. Ireland 1-2 Netherlands Read More Talking points ahead of Republic of Ireland’s crucial clash with Netherlands Gareth Southgate felt England did not ‘quite click’ against Ukraine Gareth Southgate won’t be swayed by ‘external reaction’ over Jordan Henderson
1970-01-01 08:00
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Texas is ready for the SEC, but the SEC doesn't look so tough right now
Texas is ready for the Southeastern Conference
1970-01-01 08:00
Caleb Williams propels No. 6 USC to a 49-point first half in a 56-10 victory over Stanford
No. 6 Southern California routed Stanford 56-10 in this century-old rivalry’s final chapter for the foreseeable future
1970-01-01 08:00
Auburn rallies past mistake-prone California for 14-10 victory
Payton Thorne threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rovaldo Fairweather following California’s third missed field goal of the game and Tigers rallied for a 14-10 victory
1970-01-01 08:00
Oklahoma State stymies Arizona State defensively for 27-15 win
Garret Rangel found a wide-open Brennan Presley on a 16-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and Oklahoma State stymied Arizona State defensively for a 27-15 win
1970-01-01 08:00
Webb ends his 3-game skid in Giants' 9-1 win over Rockies
Logan Webb pitched six scoreless innings for his first win in more than a month, Thairo Estrada homered and had three RBIs, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 9-1
1970-01-01 08:00
Sean Strickland stuns favorite Israel Adesanya for middleweight title at UFC 293
American Sean Strickland stunned Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya to take the middleweight title by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, the first UFC event in Australia’s largest city in six years
1970-01-01 08:00
No. 4 Florida State scores most points in Norvell era, routs Southern Miss 66-13
Trey Benson had three touchdown runs and No. 4 Florida State routed Southern Miss 66-13 in its home opener Saturday night for the most points under coach Mike Norvell
1970-01-01 08:00
Martinez gets No. 16 Oregon State going in 55-7 win over UC Davis
Damien Martinez ran for a 64-yard touchdown on Oregon State’s first offensive play, setting the tone in the 16th-ranked Beavers’ 55-7 victory over UC Davis
1970-01-01 08:00
Nowell's TD on blocked punt sparks TCU to 41-6 romp over Nicholls
Blake Nowell returned a blocked punt 24 yards for a touchdown, Chandler Morris threw for 263 yards with two TDs and TCU beat FCS team Nicholls 41-6
1970-01-01 08:00
