Twitter reacts to Sean Strickland’s upset of Israel Adesanya to win title at UFC 293

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September 10, 2023 12:49 am ET

Sean Strickland achieved one of the more unexpected title-fight upsets in recent memory Saturday when he dethroned Israel Adesanya in the UFC 293 headliner.

Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) came into enemy territory on Adesanya’s (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) side of the world and pulled off a significant upset to claim the middleweight title by unanimous decision at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Strickland’s title-winning upset of Adesanya at UFC 293.

* * * *

Ben Askren

Having a hard time seeing how Strickland wins this one, prob gonna be a showcase of skills by Izzy

— Funky (@Benaskren) September 10, 2023

Derek Brunson

This year has been weird for mma upsets . That’s all I’m going to say . Let’s watch ! #ufc293

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 10, 2023

Aaron Bronsteter

10-9 Strickland as he lands a barrage against Adesanya late in the round with many clean strikes getting through.

Israel signalled to Marc Goddard that he was good and he gets out of the round.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 10, 2023

Michael Bisping

Holy shit!!! Haha did not see that.

— michael (@bisping) September 10, 2023

Ben Askren

Holy hell how did Izzy survive that!!!

— Funky (@Benaskren) September 10, 2023

Chuck Mindenhall

Wow. This is playing out most interestingly.

— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) September 10, 2023

Alan Jouban

Sean has a way of deflecting a lot of strikes and so far it’s working really well against Izzy’s style. #UFC293

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 10, 2023

Sean Sheehan

The pressure isn’t working at well in round 2. Izzy isn’t getting caught against the cage nearly as easily. #UFC293

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) September 10, 2023

Derek Brunson

This fight has Silva v Weidman vibes . Izzy hands are unusually low tonight ! #UFC293

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 10, 2023

Andre Fili

1-1 going into the 3rd. Styles make fights. And this one is wild. #ufc293

— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) September 10, 2023

Ryan Clark

Whoa!! Strickland bout shocked the world! @ufc we got a fight. Izzy better get stupid in there

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 10, 2023

Luke Thomas

Better round for Izzy.

Lots of rhythm disruption with leg kicks and body jabs. Strickland mostly reacting that frame.

19-19 after 2

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) September 10, 2023

Sodiq Yusuff

This sport is fucking stupid

— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) September 10, 2023

Dricus Du Plessis

You can be so glad I’m not the one in there with you tonight #ufc293

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) September 10, 2023

Aljamain Sterling

Can’t wait to recap this main event. Something about counter fighters vs pressure fighters. #UFC293

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 10, 2023

Michael Carroll

(Unofficial) head strike accuracy through 3.5 rounds:44% – Strickland12% – Adesanya#UFC293

— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) September 10, 2023

King Typo

Look at this. Izzy does a ton of work to get off the cage, and then Sean just walks after him and he’s RIGHT BACK ON IT. Sean isn’t even cutting him off! He’s doing it to himself!

— King Typo (@BoxingBusch) September 10, 2023

Mike Bohn

One round left. Israel Adesanya likely need to finish Sean Strickland to keep his UFC middleweight title. Can’t believe I just typed that. Sean fighting beautifully. #UFC293

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 10, 2023

Fight Ghost

Sean Strickland -250 live fave entering round 5. First title defense at UFC APEX in December ? #UFC293

— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) September 10, 2023

John Morgan

Wow, man. Strickland has come out here and absolutely delivered. Unreal. Final five minutes going to be tense!! #UFC293

— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) September 10, 2023

Brett Okamoto

3-1 Strickland. If anyone can land a R5 knockout it’s Israel, but he has generated next to zero offense this entire fight. Strickland is just beating him. This will be the biggest upset in UFC 185 pound title fight history if Strickland gets it done.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 10, 2023

Glover Teixeira

Let’s go Strickland

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) September 10, 2023

Teddy Atlas

I’m not saying it’s as big as Buster- Tyson, but it’s pretty big. 3-1 Strickland #UFC293

— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) September 10, 2023

Brian Kelleher

Strickland defensive skill and awareness is very impressive. And this is against one of the best strikers in the world

— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) September 10, 2023

Justin Gaethje

Sean is fighting fantastic honestly. Could be up 3-1 but Izzy could be 2-2. Crazy sport.

— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) September 10, 2023

Mike Bohn

Israel Adesanya has left the octagon and headed backstage. No in-cage interview. #UFC293

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 10, 2023

Jan Blanchowicz

If something looks stupid, but works, it’s not stupid. I guess ;). #UFC293

— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) September 10, 2023

Paulo Costa

all chinese lost their belts

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 10, 2023

Alex Pereira

I told u guys – but nobody believed me ! Congrats @SStricklandMMA 🏆. You deserve it !!!

— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) September 10, 2023

Dustin Poirier

Unbelievable… MMA is the craziest sport in the world. I Fucking love this.

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 10, 2023

Robert Whittaker

The division has movement. Congrats @SStricklandMMA great fight mate. Can’t wait for the future 👊🏽

— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) September 10, 2023

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