As fight fans gear up to watch a face-off between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, Kevin Holland shared his observation on who the better fighter is between the two. He thinks Strickland isn’t a big problem for Adesanya’s extreme fight skills.
Continue reading to discover why Holland thinks so and his predictions for the bout.
Holland acknowledged that both Strickland and Du Plessis could offer intriguing challenges to Adesanya. However, he confidently stated that he didn’t believe either fighter had what it takes to present a real problem for the reigning champion. Despite Du Plessis having made strides and overcoming past concerns like his broken nose, Holland was skeptical that the South African fighter could win against Adesanya.
Expressing his perspective on the potential outcomes, Holland pointed out that sometimes in the fight game, unexpected surprises occur when underdog fighters manage to defy expectations and secure wins, while more skilled fighters might experience unexpected losses. Nevertheless, he maintained his doubt that Du Plessis, or any fighter of similar standing, could emerge victorious in a matchup against Adesanya.
Sean Strickland’s recent back-to-back wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov have caught the attention of many in the MMA community. However, Holland pointed out that styles play a significant role in determining the outcome of fights. He observed that Strickland tends to avoid taking heavy kicks, while Adesanya possesses impressive cardio, setting him apart from Magomedov, who Strickland previously defeated. According to Holland, Adesanya’s endurance and striking skills would give him a considerable edge over Strickland.
The renowned fighter also remarked on Strickland’s fighting approach, which he described as the “man dance.” He suggested that Strickland’s style might lack the diversity needed to contend with Adesanya’s wide range of attacks. As per Holland’s analysis, Adesanya’s ability to dismantle opponents would likely apply to Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, another contender.
Holland predicted that Adesanya would rely on precise strikes, such as leg kicks and push kicks, occasionally punctuated by flashy moves like spinning attacks. He emphasized Adesanya’s greater likelihood of securing a knockout against Strickland, given Strickland’s propensity to take more risks than Du Plessis.
The eventual outcome at UFC 293 will determine which fighter gets the chance to challenge the formidable middleweight champion. Comment below who you think it might be!
