UFC 293: UFC fighters react to Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland

Not a single person on earth thought Sean Strickland was going to beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. And you are a liar if you say you did.

Strickland beat Adesanya via decision in one of the biggest upsets in UFC title history. 

After the first round and insane flurry at the end of round one saw Strickland ahead and MMA Twitter was shaken. 

Here’s what professional fighters thought of the main event. 

Style Bender looks locked in the zone. #ufc293

— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) September 10, 2023

This year has been weird for mma upsets . That’s all I’m going to say . Let’s watch ! #ufc293

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 10, 2023

OMG!!!! #ufc293

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 10, 2023

Strickland with the HEAT 👀🔥🔥🔥

— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) September 10, 2023

Man whaaaaat 👀👀👀👀

— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 10, 2023

Holy shit 1-0 Strickland probably 10-8 #ufc293

— Cody Stamann (@CodyStamann) September 10, 2023

Let’s go @SStricklandMMA , it’s your time! 🏆#UFC293

— Roman Dolidze (@romandolidzeufc) September 10, 2023

UFC fighters were surprised at how well Strickland was doing going into the third round. It was clear Strickland won round one but the second and third were a bit more hard to judge, though Strickland seemed to win the third, narrowly. 

In the fourth, it was all Strickland again. The tides were turning. 

Eric corner advice on POINT👌🏾 Izzy is snake charming right now. Gotta turn it up @SStricklandMMA #ufc293

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) September 10, 2023

2-1 Sean. #UFC293

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 10, 2023

Can’t wait to recap this main event. Something about counter fighters vs pressure fighters. #UFC293

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 10, 2023

What a fight?! Strickland might win this ish! #UFC293

— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) September 10, 2023

And in case you missed any of the fights, here’s how it all played out. 

Main Card

• Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision (49-46 X3) for the UFC middleweight title
  
• Alexander Volkov defeated Tai Tuivasa via submission (Ezekiel Choke), Round 2 – 4:37
  
• Manel Kape defeated Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  
• Justin Tafa defeated Austen Lane via TKO, Round 1 – 1:22
  
• Tyson Pedro defeated Anton Turkalj via KO, Round 1 – 2:12
  

Preliminary card

• Carlos Ulberg defeated Jung Da-un via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3 – 4:49
  
• Chepe Mariscal defeated Jack Jenkins via verbal submission, Round 2 – 3:19
  
• Jamie Mullarkey defeated John Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
  
• Nasrat Haqparast defeated Landon Quinones via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Early prelims

• Charlie Radtke defeated Mike Mathetha via unanimous decision (29-27 x3)
  Gabriel Miranda defeated Shane Young via submission (neck crank), Round 1 – 0:59
  
• Kevin Jousset defeated Kiefer Crosbie via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:49