Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, reflects on his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, hinting at potential racial motivations behind the overwhelming support for Strickland during the fight in Australia.
After his draw-dropping defeat to Strickland, Adesanya is eager to step back into the UFC Octagon, although the exact timing of his return remains uncertain. There’s speculation that his next bout might be against Dricus du Plessis, who claimed victory over Strickland at UFC 297.
In a recent interview on The MMA Hour, Adesanya shared his thoughts on the surprising reception Strickland received in Australia:
“Nah, they’re racists,” Adesanya remarked candidly. “I think it was just me, them, it wasn’t my week. It was just him. He knows how to pander. He’s a great politician, I’ll put it that way. It was just his week, his moment to shine, and what a reign!”
Israel Adesanya Mocks Sean Strickland UFC Middleweight Title Reign
Despite the speculation, Strickland has yet to respond to Adesanya’s remarks, but many anticipate that he will address the issue in due course.
Adesanya has a history of fights in Australia, having competed there four times during his UFC career. From his debut at UFC 221, where he defeated Rob Wilkinson, to headlining events like UFC 234 against Anderson Silva and UFC 243 against Robert Whittaker, Adesanya has left his mark on the Australian MMA scene.
Meanwhile, Strickland’s rise to fame in the UFC has not been without controversy, with his family’s history of neo-Nazi ideology being a subject of public discussion. Despite this, he has managed to cultivate a strong fan following within the UFC community.
Rematch or Middleweight Title Fight?
Looking ahead, a rematch between Adesanya and Strickland remains a possibility. However, Adesanya seems hesitant about fighting in Australia again, indicating his preference for a different location if such a rematch were to occur.
As Adesanya prepares for his comeback, the MMA world eagerly awaits his next move, whether it involves a rematch with Strickland or a new challenge altogether.
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