Jared Cannonier predicts Israel Adesanya beats Sean Strickland at UFC 293
Top-ranked contender Jared Cannonier is predicting that UFC middleweight Israel Adesanya beats Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
Adesanya was targeted to fight Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 293, but the South African apparently has a foot injury, and Adesanya recently released a YouTube video where he said that Strickland was the next man in. This title fight is far from official, but it does seem likely to be made, given that UFC 293 takes place less than two months from now. Adesanya needs a dance partner, and if Du Plessis isn’t ready to take that fight, it makes sense for Strickland to slot it.
One of Strickland’s former opponents, Cannonier, was recently asked by MMA reporter Helen Yee what he thinks of this fight. According to the middleweight contender, he doesn’t see Strickland winning this fight, pointing to several factors why Adesanya will win the fight.
“Sean doesn’t even believe he could win that fight. He just wants to go in there and fight and get some money. I believe I can win that fight. I think that’s the big difference between me and those other guys,” Cannonier said (via MMAjunkie.com).
“Izzy is not an easy fight. The way those styles match up, I don’t think Sean will be able to work his jab and his funky-ass footwork, and his ability to evade shots. Izzy is way too long. He’s a sniper. Izzy is too diverse and versatile with his striking, and I don’t think Sean’s grappling is good enough to make it a factor to make it as competitive.”
It will be interesting to see how this fight plays out if it does happen, but regardless of who ultimately ends up getting their hand raised, Adesanya will enter it as the clear favorite.
How do you think a potential Israel Adesanyas vs. Sean Strickland UFC middleweight title fight plays out?
