“It has to happen,” the American fighter said at a press conference after the tournament. “We know that Izzy went to the second round – they were trying to put Abus in there, ‘Middle Division is stagnant – let’s bring Abus up, he can beat Sean’. And I’m like, ‘No question, motherfuckers – we’ll see what happens’. Every time they try to inject new blood into the division, like with that Frenchman I fought before, I send them home. This guy is no exception. I’ve dealt with everyone they had high hopes for, so give me that damn title shot! I deserve it!”
At the same time, Strickland is convinced that he must beat the winner of the challenger fight between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis in the title race, who will meet a week later at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
“Before that, I fought another guy that they were trying to promote. I took the fight with him on three days’ notice and won every one of the five rounds. I have paid all dues and fulfilled all my obligations, so give me what I deserve! One hundred percent, I should be next, even if that damn Drykus beats Whittaker. I’m in a great position and I need it. I want it, the fans want it, so let’s do it!”
The middleweight fight, which led the event, ended at 4:20 of the second round with the victory of the American by technical knockout.
According to the UFC plan, Israel Adesanya is due to defend his title on September 9 at UFC 293 in Sydney.