UFC 293 live updates and results of Israel Adesanya-Sean Strickland fight

UFC fans have been left in disbelief after American challenger Sean Strickland pulled off the biggest upset in the history of the sport.

Sean Strickland defeats Israel Adesanya

Sean Strickland has just pulled off the biggest upset in UFC history after taking down middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 293.

In front of a packed Sydney crowd Strickland dismantled Adesanya over the course of five rounds to record the unanimous decision victory with all three judges handing it to him 49-46.

Order UFC 293 Sydney: Adesanya v Strickland, Tuivasa v Volkov. Sun 10 Sept. Main Event on Kayo Sports

In a main event fight that was only officially booked in a month ago, Strickland now reigns supreme atop the middleweight division.

Adesanya was mercilessly picked apart over the majority of the fight after being unable to get through the immaculate defensive work of the American challenger.

Strickland left the champ a bruised and bloodied mess and ended with the belt wrapped around his waist.

With one round remaining the UFC world couldn’t believe what they were seeing unfold and labelled it history in the making.

“39-37 Strickland. We are watching the biggest upset in UFC championship history unfold in real time,” Aaron Bronsteter.

“This will be the biggest upset in UFC 185 pound title fight history if Strickland gets it done,” ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

And new. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Strickland couldn’t believe what he’d just achieved as he spoke to UFC legend Daniel Cormier in his post-fight interview.

“What is this? What is this?” Strickland said after the main event at UFC 293, pointing to his belt.

“Am I f***ing dreaming. Am I going to wake up? Someone hit me... I don’t cry much but I’m trying to keep my s*** together right now.

“I worked my ass off. I give up so many brain cells to the MMA gods... I thought I’d be walking away a little bloody, a little broken up. I’m a little shocked that didn’t happen.

‘This is the first time I’m lost for words. You guys, f*** it I love you guys. Just remember the gold around my waist don’t mean s**t bro.

“Your whole life, how you live your life matters more than any f***ing title. I’m living better for you guys, through you guys. Thank you!”

All eyes will now turn to what happens next in the division with fans calling for Adesanya to take on the man who was meant to be his rival at UFC 293, Dricus du Plessis.

The punch that changed it all.

The scene was set in the dying stages of the opening round when Strickland dropped the champ with a hellacious right hand before unleashing a barrage of blows.

Adesanya covered up and survived until the bell rang before rebounding in the second round, but it was one-way traffic over the final three rounds as Strickland delighted the Sydney crowd.

2pm - Adesanya vs Strickland

The fight is underway with both men refusing to touch gloves after referee Marc Goddard went over the rules.

Round 1: Strickland controlled the centre of the Octagon but barely threw shots as he stayed in the face of Adesanya. In the final 30 seconds of the round the challenger landed a monster right hand that dropped the champ but he survived the onslaught and made it to the bell. 10-9 Strickland.

“Holy sh*t. I really thought Strickland was about to get the finish right there. Shocking. I’m shook,” Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox wrote.

Round 2: The champ recovered and found his groove in the second round as he began to land the more telling shots of the two men. Strickland kept coming forward not giving Adesanya any space. 19-19 tied.

Round 3: Adesanya is the more active of the two, but it was Strickland who once again landed the more telling shots in the round after getting through the champ’s guard with one big combo. 29-28 Strickland.

Round 4: Strickland’s corner told him they didn’t want a boring points win and to get after the champ. He did just that as he attacked on the counter after every Adesanya kick, the champ’s right eye has started to swell. Aside from a couple of shots this fight is going the way of the challenger. 39-37 Strickland.

Round 5: Adesanya needed a finish but he wasn’t able to get anything telling to land as the challenger continued to walk him down and landed once again the harder shots of the fight. 49-46 Strickland.

1.40pm - Bam Bam taps out in front of home fans

Western Sydney heavyweight fighter Tai Tuivasa has been taken down in front of his home crowd.

The sixth ranked heavyweight in the UFC was defeated by seventh ranked Alexander Volkov who used his height and reach to superior advantage.

In the second round however after the two fighters traded heavy blows on their feet it was on the ground where Volkov pounced.

The Russian got on top of Tuivasa before locking in an ezekiel choke from the mount and forcing Bam Bam to tap out.

Valiant effort from both men. What a sub for Drago. Tuivasa fought his heart out, but Volkov is on a roll these days. Super tough out.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 10, 2023

1:20pm - Second fighter drops disgusting slur

Manel Kape has become the second fighter of the night to drop a disgusting slur after recording a win.

Kape got the better of Felipe dos Santos in a three round war before he turned his attention to Kiwi Kai Kara-France in his post fight interview.

“All these numbers 2, 3, 4, they not accept to fight me because they’re fucking scared,” Kape said before labelling Kara-France a “piece of sh*t” Kai Kara-France and then turning on his gym, City Kickboxing, where he said they were all a “bunch of f*****s”.

As he walked out of the Octagon UFC boss Dana White was seen having a word to the fighter.

Dana White has a word to Manel Kape after Kape became the second fight to call someone a “f****t” today. #UFC293pic.twitter.com/UowdUg2SGV

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) September 10, 2023

1pm - Tafa drops Lane with massive KO hit

New Zealand’s Justin Tafa has knocked out former NFL defensive end Austen Lane with a massive one-punch blow during their heavyweight clash.

Sizing up Lane with a short right hand, Tafa went all in with strong left hook that knocked Lane to the ground, before alternating punches to his head as he hit the ground, being pulled away as the referee stepped in.

JUSTIN TAFA KNOCKS OUT LANE BRUTALLY #UFC293pic.twitter.com/6jQ8cjuS7u

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) September 10, 2023

11am - Fighter booed out stadium after slur

UFC legend Daniel Cormier pulled the microphone away from American fighter Charles Radtke after he dropped a homophobic slur after his win over Mike Mathetha.

Charles Radtke copped it even worse outside the Octagon. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images.

Radtke was booed even before the end of the fight after the contest failed to produce any excitement with the fight largely happening on the ground.

Radtke was awarded the win via unanimous decision victory by the judges (29-27 x3) with the “Blood Diamond” disappointing in his day at the office.

Radtke responded in his post-fight interview inside the Octago, saying: “

“It felt great, so f*** all you f****s up in the crowd,” Radtke said.

“Come down and get some you p***y a*** b***h. F*** you.”

He then stuck his middle fingers up towards the grand stand.

Radtke’s post-fight interview was cut short immediately after the homophobic slur and he was escorted backstage. He was booed on his way back to the locker room and reportedly had at a beer cup hurled at him.

Some UFC fighters hit out at the American fighter.

Derek Brunson posted on Twitter that Radtke had “lost his mind”.

“Yeah Radtke’s about to be doing community service at the LGBTQ for the next 6 months,” he posted.

ESPN UFC commentator Alan Jouban also complimented Cormier on putting an end to the interview early.

FULL CARD

Main card (from 12pm)

Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision

Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa via submission Round 2

Manel Kape def. Felipe dos Santos via decision

Justin Tafa def. Austen Lane via KO Round 1

Tyson Pedro def. Anton Turkalj via KO Round 1

Preliminary card

Carlos Ulberg def. Da Un Jung via submission Round 3

Chepe Mariscal def. Jack Jenkins via TKO Round 2

Jamie Mullarkey def. John Makdessi via UD (29-28 x3)

Nasrat Haqparast def. Landon Quinones via UD (30-27 x3)

Charlie Radtke def. Blood Diamond via UD (29-27 x3)

Gabriel Miranda def. Shane Young via submission Round 1

Kevin Jousset def. Kiefer Crosbie via submission Round 1

How to watch

Fight fans can catch all the action from UFC 293 on Kayo Sports and Main Event.

Order UFC 293 Sydney: Adesanya v Strickland, Tuivasa v Volkov. Sun 10 Sept. Main Event on Kayo Sports