What was so special in Strickland’s win that people are now calling it the biggest upset in UFC history? What did the fighter do to get such a clear and praise-worthy victory? What were the moves he used in the octagon to walk out as the UFC 293 champion?
Continue reading to find out!
What would the most upbeat Strickland supporter have said about his chances of winning before the fight? Perhaps he might approach Adesanya from behind and put him on the defensive, restricting his choices for offense and making the fight slower and more technical. If his chin held up and he avoided getting KO’d, it sounds fantastic. Strickland also required a huge moment or two. It may have been a knockdown, which he received in the opening round, a takedown, or a close submission attempt.
Everything worked out well for Strickland. He maintained his composure and confidence throughout. He never let Adesanya feel at ease, and he managed to disturb him in a way that seemed inconceivable.
No one was sure when the fight would be over. People would have claimed it was a fluke or an early stoppage if the bout had been stopped after his knockdown and ensuing flurry in the first round. But one of the greatest achievements to witness from cage-side was the fact that he outfought Adesanya for almost 20 full minutes after that to win a decision that had no question and no debate.
Following this clash, this is the pressing question on many people’s minds. Did Strickland’s victory over Adesanya rank higher in the conversation than Matt Serra’s victories over Georges St-Pierre, Holly Holm’s victories over Ronda Rousey, and Chris Weidman’s victories over Anderson Silva, all of which I believe to be the greatest three upsets in UFC history?
In terms of exposure, Strickland vs. Adesanya probably ranks second only to Holly Holm’s victory over Ronda Rousey. Holm’s win was monumental because Rousey was at the peak of her MMA career, and the entire sports world, as well as the mainstream audience, was captivated. Strickland vs. Adesanya didn’t have that level of hype, and the overall card might have seemed less appealing on paper, potentially causing some viewers to skip it, assuming the outcome was predictable.
However, it’s important to consider that the sport of MMA has grown significantly and has a broader global appeal compared to the times when Matt Serra upset Georges St-Pierre or Chris Weidman defeated Anderson Silva. Strickland’s win deserves recognition in that context.
When assessing these upsets, historical context is crucial, and it’s too soon to definitively rank Strickland’s victory since UFC 293 is still fresh in our minds. St-Pierre’s dominant rematch against Serra solidifies it as the top upset in my opinion. Silva was in his late 30s when he lost to Weidman, and the unfortunate leg injury in the rematch left us without a clear sense of closure. Rousey’s history of handling losses poorly also prevented a rematch with Holm from materializing.
Whether we like it or not, all signs point to Adesanya getting a rematch with Strickland. It’s in that rematch that we’ll discover if Strickland is Adesanya’s Achilles’ heel, if Adesanya’s career is on a downward trajectory, or if there’s something in between these possibilities.
Do you think Sean won the fight fair and square or did he have an edge over his opponent? Do let us know about your thoughts in the comment section!
