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Don't Sleep!! Wake up to watch Israel Adesanya fight Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 in Australia
New Zealand professional mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent Israel Mobolaji Adesanya is set for a return to the octagon.
The 34-year-old Adesanya is set to face off against American Sean Strickland in the main event of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 293 in Australia.
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Israel Adesanya for China: Nigerian UFC star explains why he is known as the Black Dragon in China
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Why Israel Adesanya is fighting Sean Strickland, not Dricus Du Plessis
The victor of Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis, the co-main event of UFC 290, was supposed to go on to face Adesanya.
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Israel Adesanya: Nigerian UFC star rocks Green and White necklace ahead of fight against Sean Strickland
Nigerian UFC star Israel Adesanya rocks Green and White necklace ahead of fight against Sean Strickland
Whittaker had a winning streak of 13 fights going since his victory over Mike Rhodes in 2014 before his losses to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 and UFC 271.
Adesanya, who was sitting ringside, was ecstatic when Du Plessis overpowered Whittaker.
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A win by Whittaker over Du Plessis didn't help him much because he knew he needed a new opponent and had already defeated Whittaker twice.
It didn't help that Du Plessis, a South African, had said that Adesanya wasn't "a real African," which offended the reigning champion who was born in Nigeria.
Adesanya traveled to China to fight extensively after leaving Nigeria in pursuit of combat experience before landing in New Zealand.
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Adesanya entered the ring after Du Plessis had won, and the two engaged in a staredown.
The big event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, seemed to be Du Plessis vs. Adesanya for the middleweight championship.
Du Plessis then claimed that he couldn't compete due to a foot problem.
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Only Sean Strickland remained in the top six who Adesanya had not faced after effectively wiping out the division.
Strickland, not Du Plessis, will therefore be vying for the crown on Saturday.
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Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland build-up for UFC 293
Earlier this year, Strickland made the first jab about Adesanya being Chinese during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast.
However, a video showing Adesanya waving the Chinese flag quickly gained popularity on social media.
In a different video, The Last Stylebender also acknowledged embracing Chinese culture.
Israel Adesanya, who was raised in New Zealand but was born in Nigeria, spent a significant amount of his illustrious kickboxing career competing in Chinese provincial circuits where he was known as "The Black Dragon."
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The reigning middleweight champion of the UFC frequently attributes his development as a fighter to his time living in China.
The jabs from Strickland don't appear to affect Adesanya; he even makes jokes about knocking him out for the sake of China.
Adesanya said that he formerly worked as a side hustle staring in Chinese advertisements.
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The Last Stylebender as Adesanya is known is now expected to wear red shorts representing China against Strickland.
Adesanya is not shy to remind the world as UFC Middleweight champion that he is of Nigerian descent.
At the face-off, Adesanya came out wearing a Green and White necklace that has gone viral.
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The combination of the necklace got a lot of reactions from Nigerians on social media.
There have been jabs upon jabs from both fighters as the build-up is now over.
Adesanya has stated he intends to paint his nails coming into the octagon to face Strickland.
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Time and where to watch Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
The fight between Adesanya and Strickland will take place early Sunday, September 10, 2023, in Nigeria.
It will be Adesanya's first defense of the UFC Middleweight crown since he recaptured it from Alex Pereira early this year.
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The fight will take place at the Quodos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Adesanya and Strickland take center stage in the main event of UFC 293 and their start is scheduled for 3 am Nigerian time.
It will be available on ESPN Plus and on Cable network DSTV for Nigerians.
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