Israel Adesanya to defend UFC title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293

Israel Adesanya celebrates at the end of his fight against Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in Miami, Florida, USA. (Photo: Screenshot)

Israel Adesanya looks set to defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September.

Adesanya regained the 185lb crown from Alex Pereira earlier this year, and looked set to make his first defence of his regained crown against South African Dricus du Plessis in the main event of the card in Sydney, Australia.

The two men clashed in the Octagon moments after du Plessis had beaten former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, setting up the potential fight, but it was later confirmed that the South African would not be ready for the Sydney card.

That left UFC officials scrambling to find an opponent for ‘The Last Stylebender’, and it now appears as though they have found their man.

Sean Strickland, who has a history for taking fights at short notice, has fought twice already this year, rebounding from his losses to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier.

He beat NassourdineImavov on points at light-heavyweight in January, less than one month after his loss to Cannonier, and when he returned to middleweight back in July he knocked out Abus Magomedov in the second round to move further into title contention.

It now looks increasingly likely that his third outing of 2023 will see him compete for the middleweight crown, with his trainer previously suggesting a deal could be struck soon between his fighter and the UFC.

“All signs are pointing in a good direction [for Adesanya vs Strickland],” Eric Nicksick told Submission Radio. “Right now, all [Strickland]’s working on is getting his visa in order.

“But the fight… the signs look like it’s a yes. It’s all pointing in a good direction. It hasn’t