Sean Strickland, who recently dethroned Israel Adesanya in a surprising upset at UFC 293, has sparked controversy by suggesting that Adesanya is overrated. Despite Adesanya’s past success in the octagon, including multiple title fights, Strickland remains unconvinced of his talent. He pointed to Adesanya’s fight with Kelvin Gastelum as evidence that Adesanya may not be as skilled as many believe.
Since losing to Strickland, Adesanya has faced a series of setbacks in the octagon, including a recent submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. This string of losses has left Adesanya in unfamiliar territory, leading some to question whether his championship days are behind him. Despite his past achievements, Adesanya now finds himself in a position of uncertainty as he looks to bounce back from recent defeats.
During a recent appearance on the “Verse Us with Eric Nicksick” podcast, Strickland did not hold back his opinions on Adesanya. He expressed skepticism about Adesanya’s skills, particularly citing his performance against Kelvin Gastelum. Strickland highlighted that he has sparred with Gastelum multiple times and believes that Adesanya’s close fight with him is indicative of his true abilities. He also criticized Adesanya’s victory over Paulo Costa, suggesting that Costa was intimidated by Adesanya and did not perform at his best.
Despite his controversial remarks about Adesanya, Strickland has proven himself as a formidable competitor in the UFC. Following his loss to Du Plessis, Strickland bounced back with a decisive victory over Costa at UFC 302. He is now eyeing a rematch with Du Plessis, hoping to avenge his previous defeat and solidify his position in the middleweight division. Strickland remains determined to continue his rise in the UFC and prove his critics wrong.
Strickland’s comments have ignited a debate about Adesanya’s true abilities and future in the UFC. While Adesanya has proven himself as a dominant force in the middleweight division, his recent losses have raised doubts among fans and fighters alike. As both athletes look towards the future, the question remains: is Adesanya truly overrated, or will he reclaim his championship status in the octagon?