Sep 10, 20233 min read

Unpredictability

The beauty of unpredictability makes an image again inside the Octagon on MMA's grandest stage at UFC 293. The "what ifs" came true in shocking fashion that left you picking your jaw off the hardwood floor.

Sean Strickland is the new UFC Middleweight champion of the world. Strickland upset the mighty Style Bender, Israel Adesanya, in dominate fashion with a 49-46 unanimous decision. Proving that any fighter can win on a given night. Saturday was Sean Strickland's night, and not a single human was going to stump it. Wow this sport is nuts, isn't it?

The performance in whole by Sean was more unpredictable than the win in general. We know the narrative: someone can be knocked out or submitted in a blink of an eye in this sport. That has been seen and proved, so in this case it was way more shocking to experience the performance. No one would have predicted Strickland to dominate, not even Sean himself.

Strickland dominated arguably the greatest striking specialist in the sports' existence, with a locked-in pursuit forward demeanor, flawlessly picking apart the champion with pure boxing. Strickland used a jab; front body kick (raised); and a 1-2 to cruise past being a +475 underdog claiming UFC gold. Adesanya spent the ENTIRE fight moving backward and being on his back foot, making his kicking offense worthless in a sense. Strickland did his damage by pursuing Izzy to back up to the fence to allow his power to connect. The power difference was massive towards Strickland. Adesanya didn't know how to calculate Sean's pressure the usual way he did against Rob Whittaker, Sean knew it and exposed him right away. Adesanya almost got wasted in the first round after Strickland landed a FLUSH right hand:

One of the wildest sequences of the year, all thanks to the ref work of the rock solid, Marc Goddard. Kudos to Adesanya for surviving that explosive exchange as well. Strickland's pursuit to finish him in that sequence showed exactly how game he was and the mission he was on. Adesanya may have survived, but the damage was telling- especially mentally and strategically.

Izzy grabbed the second round with ease, as he showed the only assertion and connected with solid kicks, but nothing with true damage. That's how the tale went for Izzy: he couldn't land any damage and seemed powerless. Strickland's pursuit and defense simply devastated Adesanya. It destroyed all his barriers and made him go shell in the championship rounds.

Strickland's defense and counter-striking was unreal to witness. He made Adesanya go 22 for 154 in head strikes (23%) and 94 for 271 in total significant strikes. Both have to be career fight lows for Izzy. It was a flawless display of defense and boxing by the new champ. Strickland landed more significant strikes (137 to 94) and did so at a MUCH higher clip; 52% to 34%. The head strike total was lopsided to Strickland's favor (85 to 22). Who the hell would have guessed that.

Sean Strickland burning down the king's castle at 185 has capped off a whole new look of champions in the UFC. Oh, how the tides change. The odd and estranged Sean Strickland is now a UFC champion. Many have their opinions and judgement on how he carries himself, but there is no denying his incredible life journey that now allows himself to be called a world champion. I will never forget him puttin' the hands down; stompin' his feet; and barkin' with saliva as he knew he conquered his feat. Here is the victory lap, congrats Sean:

Unpredictability

Related Posts

Comments

subscribe to spittin' cap