One can revisit UFC 276 over a year ago, when Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland weren’t even slated to fight yet became embroiled in some trash talking during the event’s press conference. “The Last Stylebender” even vowed to eventually knock the American out and do a TikTok dance over his grave.
Fast forward and the two will be fighting, as Dana White announced Tuesday night that Adesanya will defend his middleweight world championship against Strickland to headline UFC 293 live from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, Australia on September 9.
Once the fight was officially announced, Strickland didn’t waste time reigniting the trash talk. Strickland took to his X account and posted:
The post is a jab and reference to Adesanya donning the Chinese flag during his pro kickboxing days and saying that he has a Chinese heart, while competing in the country. Adesanya is of Nigerian dissent, having spent most of his years residing in New Zealand.
Strickland’s post marks the first of what should be many exchanges between the two building toward the fight.
Adesanya was supposed to fight top contender Dricus Du Plessis on the date, but the South African fighter reportedly suffered an injury. That, and Adesanya already defeated No. 2 Robert Whittaker (twice), third-ranked Jared Cannonier and No. 4 Marvin Vettori, making the opening for fifth-ranked Strickland to get a shot.
White can't wait.
“What I love about Israel, he’s always ready to take on the best in the world — anyone, any time — and Strickland is an absolute maniac who doesn’t back down from anyone,” White said about the upcoming bout. “This will be a great fight."