UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland: See who the CBS Sports experts are taking in the main event from Sydney, Australia on Saturday night
Israel Adesanya began his second tenure as the Middleweight Champion on Saturday when he faces Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293. This event will take place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
After a dramatic late knockout loss to Alex Pereira in UFC 281, Adesanya returned to score a knockout victory over Pereira to claim the championship at UFC 287. It was his first win against Pereira after losing to him twice in kickboxing.
It appeared that Adesanya would defend his new reign against Dricus Du Plessis, but Du Plessis was not available for UFC 293, leading to Strickland getting the call due to his consecutive wins.
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
Adesanya mentioned in a recent press conference, “He talks all this crap, but he should be grateful. I gave him his first passport. I gave him his first flight out of his country. I gave him this big-money fight.” “He tries to act tough, but there’s no danger with him. He’s the dumb guy in class who talks to you and raises his voice to get his point across.”
UFC 293: Adesanya vs sean strickland
Strickland is entering his first title fight in a less competitive division since he was left out of the top five contenders’ mix due to the current matchmaking. Now, he gets a chance to become a champion after some training with his fierce rival, Pereira.
Strickland told CBS Sports, “Sometimes you shouldn’t say no… But at the end of the day, opportunities never come when you want them.” “You never wake up and say, ‘Today is a great day! I’m ready for some good things to happen in my life.'”
Usually, the person you love is dying, or you’ve just been fired from your job, or the IRS is sending you a letter. Typically, your life is a complete nonsense show, and you’ll get a glimpse of it, ‘Hey, man. You can put everything at risk and seize this opportunity.’ Usually, those who do that are successful in life.
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. StricklandAlthough this card lacks big names or deep significance, there are some exciting matchups that could produce some fun outcomes. The co-main event features heavyweight clashes where Tai Tuivasa faces off against Alexander Volkov. After a quick route to the interim title shot, Tuivasa suffered two straight stoppage losses and is back on Earth. Now, he wants to return to the track against Volkov, who is on a two-fight knockout winning streak.
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
Can there be enough fighting and MMA? Get the latest in the world of the top two combat sports with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell on Morning Combat, including a full preview of UFC 293 below.
Also, the Flyweight battle will see newly signed Felipe Dos Santos taking on Manel Kape. Kape was expected to face Kai Kara-France, which was billed as a big fight for the division’s top spot. However, Kara-France had to pull out of the bout due to a training camp injury and concerns for his health and safety. Now, Kape needs to take care of business at 125 pounds.
With so much happening on Saturday night, let’s take a close look at the full fight card with the latest odds.
UFC 293, Fight Card, Odds
- Israel Adesanya -700 vs. Sean Strickland +500, Middleweight Title
- Alexander Volkov -250 vs. Tai Tuivasa +205, Heavyweight
- Manel Kape -420 vs. Felipe Dos Santos +320, Flyweight
- Justin Tafa -220 vs. Austin Lane +180, Heavyweight
- Anton Turkalj -115 vs. Tyson Pedro -105, Light Heavyweight
- Carlos Ulberg -300 vs. Da Un Jung +240, Light Heavyweight
- Jack Jenkins -205 vs. Chepe Mariscal +170, Featherweight
- Jamie Mullarkey -270 vs. John Makdessi +220, Lightweight
- Nasrat Haqparast -500 vs. Landon Quinones +380, Lightweight
- Charlie Radtke -325 vs. Mike Diamond +250, Welterweight
- Shane Young -115 vs. Gabriel Miranda -105, Featherweight
- Kevin Jousset -165 vs. Kiefer Crosby +140, Welterweight
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
With such a big main event, the CBS Sports team advances with predictions and selections for the main card. Here are your selectors: Brent Brookhouse (Combat Sports Writer), Brian Campbell (Combat Sports Writer, co-host of “Morning Combat”), Shaquille Majori (Writer), Michael Mormile (Producer), and Brandon Wise (Senior Editor).
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
Campbell: Strickland talks a good game and seems to present himself as a major underdog, coming across as a major underdog. But he’s here for a reason. Strickland, a major force, cardio and the kind of grinding wrestling needed to frustrate Adesanya’s dazzling striking, with brutal power shots like the ones he used to defeat Alex Pereira in April, should be able to match Strickland’s pressure and effectively counter Strickland’s pressure.
Brookhouse: The first question that comes to mind when predicting any fight is, ‘How does this fighter beat their opponent?’ For Strickland, the only answer I can give is, ‘Strickland defeated Adesanya unexpectedly by landing one of the most shocking, unexpected punches in UFC history.’ Strickland doesn’t possess any notable power beyond division average, and his poker-faced demeanor seems tailored for someone who’s one of the all-time great sharpshooters in the history of the sport. Strickland has struggled to do anything meaningful against Adesanya, let alone secure a win. There is no path to victory for Strickland here that doesn’t involve a ‘lucky punch.’
Mahajuri: I’m not convinced that Strickland presents a significant threat beyond a ‘lucky punch.’ Adesanya has beaten better strikers, better wrestlers, and more skilled grapplers. Four weeks of preparation may not be ideal, but it’s certainly sufficient to formulate a winning strategy. I’ve seen suggestions that Strickland could replicate Kelvin Gastelum’s controversy with Adesanya, but that was four years ago. Adesanya has finally figured out how to adapt his world-class kickboxing to MMA and won’t be dragged into a brawl by a lesser opponent. A champion like Stipe Miocic or a hesitant decision will keep Adesanya unscathed, where he leaves Strickland baffled.
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
Volkov vs. Tuivasa
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. Strickland
Campbell: Tuivasa needs to find inspiration after losing in two fights and an unusual layoff of 10 months. But until he consistently works with his brawling style effectively, it’s a fight he should be able to win against the taller and more technical Volkov. Volkov also has an advantage in his previous wrestling bouts if needed. Keeping the winning streak going with two knockouts in a row, now both by knockout, Volkov’s time to stay alive and establish himself in the heavyweight title picture has come. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, he should be capable of doing so as long as he’s careful not to get caught in a war.
Mahajuri: Tuivasa has improved his skills in recent years, but it’s still a ‘live by the sword, die by the sword’ mentality. This will always trouble him. Volkov possesses knockout power and significant reach and experience advantages. Volkov doesn’t get as much praise as he deserves, but his four UFC losses have come against opponents who were either challenging for the UFC heavyweight title afterward or at the peak of their careers. Tuivasa’s recent loss is also in that category, but now he has to face more significant challenges in the heavyweight title picture. This fight will help showcase Tuivasa’s real development. For now, I’m leaning towards Volkov, either by KO or unanimous decision.
UFC 293, Adesanya vs. StricklandManel Kape vs. Felipe Dos Santos
Campbell: Despite withdrawing from the companion flyweight co-main event with Kyoji Horiguchi from Kai Kara-France at the last minute, Kape reminded fans at Thursday’s press conference of who he really is and why he was so angry sitting there criticizing Cara-France, and almost got physically involved with Israel Adesanya, who was in attendance. The crowd, and the stage, were virtually screaming for it. Kape, who arrives after a three-fight winning streak in his matchup with UFC debutant Felipe Dos Santos, has several reasons to be cocky. The former Rizin bantamweight champion has faced the top competition worldwide for the past six years and is in contention for an interesting title due to his power and aggressive style.
UFC 293 Winner: Adesanya vs. Strickland, and How Each Fight Really Ends? To get detailed analysis on each fight at UFC 293, head over to SportsLine now, where all MMA experts who earned more than $6,200 in 2022 will provide insights and find out.”