Sean Strickland became the UFC Middleweight champion just over two weeks ago at UFC 293.
The 32-year-old is already thinking about his next opponent after clinching the belt from former owner Israel Adesanya. He defeated ‘The Last Stylebender‘ via unanimous decision, after comfortably out-striking and maneuvering the New Zealander over five rounds. ‘Tarzan‘ also earned his second knockdown at 185 lbs after connecting with a right cross in the first round.
The victory is seen as one of the most prominent shock results in UFC history. Strickland now marks just one of three Middleweight belt-holders in the last four years.
Sean Strickland Comments on Israel Adesanya
Strickland has always been known for his brash personality and controversial nature. The American fights out of Xtreme Couture, a Nevadan outfit, alongside fellow UFC middleweight Chris Curtis.
The pairing are long-time training partners and co-hosts of MMA podcast The Man Dance, a show which Strickland decided to offer his first reflections on a belt-winning performance.
He told Curtis: “Oh yeah, I guess I did win a championship. “It was a good time, you guys. It was a good time, I like fighting. I like to hit [people], I like to fight, I give 110 percent, it was good.
“I thought Izzy would be better. I’m sure the UFC might give him a rematch and he might take it a little bit more serious and put up a better fight.”
‘Tarzan‘ clearly remains surprised at the simplicity of title winning demands. He was originally back-up to top division contender Dricus Du Plessis, an unorthodox opponent who has long-standing animosity with Adesanya. When the South African was unable to make the intended date, however, Strickland stepped up to the mark and subsequently defeated the former champion in a one-sided affair.
Next Opponent?
UFC CEO Dana White passionately defended Adesanya to the media following his loss at UFC 293, insisting an immediate rematch is deserved.
Stricklands‘ next opponent is still yet to be officially announced. The 32-year-old made his priorities evident to the fanbase, after re-shuffling a previously stagnating middleweight scene.
He said: “My thing is, dude, when it comes to that next fight, everybody’s like, ‘Who do you want to fight?’ I don’t give a f***, dude. I want to make f****** money. I get those pay-per-view buys.
“Give me somebody who’s going to make f****** money. I don’t want to fight anybody boring. I want to fight, you know, give me someone who’s making money.”
Du Plessis, despite initially rejecting the Adesanya matchup, remains a certified challenger for Strickland’s belt. His underdog victory over Robert Whittaker earlier this year impressed the sport’s fanbase enormously, and the South African seems to have improved since nose surgery.
Elsewhere, Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa are scheduled to meet in four weeks’ time, acting as UFC 294’s co-main event. ‘Borz‘ will be re-entering the octagon for the first time in 2023, after previously competing at 170 lbs.
Who do you think Sean Strickland should fight next? Does Israel Adesanya deserve an immediate rematch? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
