Polarising Sean Strickland unleashed a flurry of powerful punches to defeat champion Israel Adesanya and claim the UFC middleweight title after a gruelling fight in Sydney on Sunday.
In the main event of UFC 293, American Strickland stunned hot favourite Adesanya to win the 185-pound belt with an unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to prevail in a five-round slugfest.
At the sold-out Qudos Bank Arena, Strickland landed several stinging punches to the head and had Adesanya on the back foot throughout.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be here,” said Strickland, who inflicted New Zealander Adesanya’s third defeat from 27 fights.
