Israel Adesanya to Face Sean Strickland at UFC 293

The middleweight titleholder will look to defend belt at UFC 293 on Sept. 9 in Sydney.

The long-awaited matchup UFC fans have desired is finally set.

It was announced Tuesday that Israel Adesanya will look to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293, on Sept. 9 in Sydney, Australia.

Adesanya will return to the octagon for the first time since knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287 back in April. In the victory, the dominant striker avenged a previous loss to Pereira that stripped the champion of his belt. 

Strickland, who boasts a 27–5 record, enters the fight fresh off a knockout victory over Abusupiyan Magomedov back on July 1. The 32-year-old Strickland has climbed the ranks on the strength of winning eight of his last 10 bouts.

Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, UFC announced Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/IviXAe3ivx

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 8, 2023

Adesanya, who owns a 24–2 record in the UFC, has won 13 of his last 15 fights and after trading jabs with Strickland on social media, they will now end the feud in the cage.

The showdown with Strickland will be Adesanya’s 10th consecutive fight with a UFC belt on the line.