Israel Adesanya’s second reign as UFC middleweight king is over after a stunning loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on Sunday.
Adesanya lost via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-46 in favour of Strickland.
Fans took to social media to react to Adesanya’s shock loss in Australia.
Some wrote that they had just witnessed the end of an era.
One fan noted that the reign of the black UFC champs is over, writing: “Usman and Izzy might not be the same. Francis is gone.”
Another fan wrote that it is a “changing of the guard,” and he is “not sure if Kamaru or Izzy gets back the title again.”
He added that the young guys at the welterweight and middleweight divisions are plenty, and they are relentless and coming.
Another fan claimed that “Izzy doesn’t look like a star anymore.”
Knockdown changed Adesanya vs Strickland fight
Fans agreed that the fight swung in Strickland’s favour when he knocked down Adesanya in the first round.
He landed a solid right hand to Adesanya’s jaw, dropping the champ hard with 27 seconds left in the first round.
Strickland tried to finish the fight there, landing several hard shots to Adesanya’s head, but the champ was able to survive.
Fans were shocked to see that happen, as that was the first time Adesanya got knocked down in his UFC career.
The fight changed when Adesanya felt Strickland’s power. The American went on to dominate Adesanya in the final three rounds to record the upset win.
One fan wrote that the knockdown in the first round made Adesanya scared to engage.
Another said Adesanya felt fear after the knockdown.
Sports Brief also broke down the fight between Adesanya and Strickland.
Strickland's defense stood out in this clash, with Adesanya struggling to find his range in this contest.
Adesanya was supposed to fight Dricus du Plessis after his win over Alex Pereira, but the South African fighter backed out because of a foot injury.
End of an era man. Usman and Izzy might not be the same. Francis is gone. Wildest shit is Jon Jones is still on top
— Chef de cuisine (@stephgrout_) September 10, 2023
True.. the strickland pressure was just too much that he couldnt find his jab or kick.. plus strickland was faster.. maybe this guy na bad matchup.. boring division
— Chuck'd Qriss (@iamqriss) September 10, 2023
SCENES IN SYDNEY AS THE CHAMPION IS ROCKED! ????
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 10, 2023
Sean Strickland just dropped Israel Adesanya to close out the first round! #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/LOBfwcOCWe
Strickland's knockdown in the first round is the only knockdown Adesanya has suffered in his UFC career ????
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2023
WHAT A PERFORMANCE ???? #UFC293 pic.twitter.com/hXYIr69DEd
Adesanya felt fear after that knockdown ???? pic.twitter.com/JjwhlpgnPF
— Esthetics (@EstheticsNS) September 10, 2023
I cannot believe Israel Adesanya let Sean Strickland do him like that. Maybe he never recovered from the early knockdown. But sheesh, that was shocking. #UFC293
— Doric Sam (@doricsam83) September 10, 2023
