DANA WHITE has officially announced Israel Adesanya’s next title defence.
The Last Stylebender returned to the summit of the middleweight division with a brutal second-round knockout of long-time rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April.
GettyMiddleweight champion Israel Adesanya will be back in action at UFC 293[/caption]
GETTYThe Last Stylebender reclaimed the 185lbs throne with a brutal KO of Alex Pereira[/caption]
GETTYSean Strickland will be next for The Nigerian-born Kiwi[/caption]
Dricus Du Plessis was in line to face Adesanya in a controversial grudge match after his KO victory over Robert Whittaker in July.
Injury to the South African, however, laid waste to the fight and paved the way for fan favourite Sean Strickland to get his first crack at UFC gold.
In an official announcement video, White said: “UFC 293 is in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, September 9.
“The main event: Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight title against fifth-ranked Sean Strickland.
“This will be Adesanya’s 11th consecutive UFC tite fight. What I love about Israel is he’s always willing to take on the best in the world.
“Anyone, anytime. And Strickland is an absolute maniac who doesn’t back down from anyone.
“This will be a great fight.”
Neither man has publicly commented on their upcoming showdown – which takes place at the Qudos Bank in a mere four weeks’ time.
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Adesanya, however, confirmed he’d be throwing down with former welterweight Strickland in a scathing rant at Du Plessis late last month.
He said: “I don’t even know how to start this, but ‘Dricus du P,’ you f***ing b***h.
“[Du Plessis said], ‘Oh, all he had to do is put some gloves [on], I was ready to go again.’
“No, you weren’t, you’re a b****. That’s why you’re not taking this fight.
“Your foot’s sore. N***a, my knee was jacked, too, from my last fight. Guess what I did? I showed up, because that’s what a f*****g champion does.
“Championship-caliber, built different. A lot of you fighters talk about, ‘Oh I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, anytime.’
GETTYIsrael Adesanya was due to face Dricus Du Plessis before the South African suffered an injury[/caption]
“No, you won’t. I do. Alex Volkanovski does. We’re built different.
“I’m at the gym right now, about to get some work. So, I’m fighting in Sydney.
“I don’t give a f*** who. ‘D***less Du P***y,’ ha-had, d***less, f*** j**k-off. You’re out.
“Strickland, you’re in, let’s do the man dance, show you how to really dance.
“But yeah, I’m just tired of all you guys talking s*** about, ‘I can fight, I can fight.’
“No, you can’t, you p***y, you b***h.