Sean Strickland (28-5) shocks the world as he defeats Israel Adesanya (24-3) by unanimous decision (3x 49-46) to become the UFC Middleweight Champion in the Main Event of UFC 293 on Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. 

In a fight where he was the heavy underdog, Sean Strickland pulls out the upset by outstriking the kickboxing world champion. Strickland out landed Adesanya 111 total strikes to 97 total strikes and used his defensive ability to force Adesanya to only land 13.5% of his head strikes (24/178).  

Strickland, who is not known for punching power, landed a massive right hand in the 1^st round that dropped Adesanya and almost finished him. Though Adesanya bounced back by winning the 2^nd round, Strickland used his forward pressure and outstanding striking defense to win the following 3 rounds to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion. 

The Co-Main Event saw heavyweights Alexander Volkov (37-10) and Tai Tuivasa (14-6) have a slugfest. In Volkov won the majority of the striking exchanges landing 107 total strikes to Tuivasa’s 30 total strikes. In the 2^nd round, Volkov caught a leg kick from Tuivasa and countered with a punch to the head knocking him down. Shortly after, Volkov was able to lock in an Ezekiel Choke to submit Tuivasa 4:37 into the 2^nd round. This was Volkov first submission victory since 2016. 

Elsewhere on the card, Manel Kape (19-6) defeated debuting flyweight, Felipe dos Santos (7-1), by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-29) in an exciting back-and-forth striking matchup. Justin Tafa (7-3) viciously knocked out Austen Lane (12-4) 1:22 in the 1^st round of their rematch, after their first fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Tyson Pedro (10-4) also knocked out Anton Turkalj (8-3) 2:12 in the 1^st round with a strong straight right. 

Prelims 

Carlos Ulberg (9-1) submitted Da Woon Jung (15-5) via Rear-Naked Choke in the 3^rd round (4:49) 

Jose Mariscal (15-6) defeated Jack Jenkins (12-3) by way of TKO due to arm injury in the 2^nd round (3:19) 

Jamie Mullarkey (17-6) defeated John Makdessi (18-9) by unanimous decision (3x 29-28) 

Nasrat Haqparast (15-5) defeated Landon Quinones (7-2) by unanimous decision (3x 30-27) 

Early Prelims 

Charles Radtke (8-3) defeated Blood Diamond (3-3) by unanimous decision (3x 29-27) 

Gabriel Miranda (17-6) submitted Shane Young (13-8) via Rear-Naked Choke in the 1^st round (0:59) 

Kevin Jousset (9-2) submitted Kiefer Crosbie (10-4) via Rear-Naked Choke in the 1^st round (4:49)