In an intense showdown set to take place at UFC 293 in Australia on September 9, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has issued a chilling warning to his opponent, Sean Strickland. Adesanya sternly declared that if Strickland continues to taunt him during the fight, he will not hesitate to break his jaw.
Key Takeaway
Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, has vowed to break Sean Strickland’s jaw if he continues to taunt him during their highly anticipated fight at UFC 293. Adesanya’s confidence is fueled by his recent win against Alex Pereira, while Strickland aims to capitalize on the opportunity presented to him after Adesanya’s planned match with Dricus Du Plessis fell through due to injury.
Adesanya, known for his sharp tongue and quick wit, expressed his determination to silence Strickland both inside and outside the octagon. He emphasized that Strickland should be grateful for the opportunity to fight him, as it will mark his first international bout and allow him to explore the world beyond his usual surroundings.
“[Sean] should just thank me. He got his passport, he got the fight, he gets to travel out of the country for the first time, actually see the world instead of being a f*ing hillbilly and yeah, he should thank me. Should really appreciate the fact that I got him the opportunity and he’s gonna get paid, he can buy his boat and then he can f* off and make other opportunities,” Adesanya stated candidly.
Adesanya’s Recent Triumphs and Strickland’s Rise
Adesanya’s confidence stems from his recent victory against his rival, Alex Pereira, at UFC 287. The champ regained his title with a stunning second-round knockout, solidifying his place as one of the top middleweight fighters in the world.
His upcoming opponent, Sean Strickland, has also been on a winning streak, triumphing over Nassourdine Imavov and Abusupiyan Magomedov in 2023. Although originally scheduled to face the number one contender, Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya’s injury opened the door for Strickland, currently ranked fifth in the division.
Addressing the question of whether Strickland deserves a shot at the title, Adesanya admitted that while he believes Strickland has put in the time to earn it, he perceives himself as being on a different level altogether. Despite being aware of Strickland’s potential danger as someone with nothing to lose, Adesanya expressed his confidence in making the fight appear effortless.
“I know he’s dangerous because a man with everything to gain and nothing to lose is a f**kin’ dangerous man, but I have a habit of making dangerous men look easy,” Adesanya declared.
