Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren believes Sean Strickland‘s win over Israel Adesanya isn’t the biggest upset ever. Strickland defied the odds and took the middleweight title from Adesanya at UFC 293 by unanimous decision. Very few gave the American a chance against ‘Stylebender’, but Strickland shut down Adesanya’s offence and won decisively.
Ben Askren on Biggest Upset
Strickland’s win shocked the world, but ‘Funky’ Ben Askren said that Holly Holm‘s win against Ronda Rousey tops it. Holm knocked out Rousey in spectacular fashion at UFC 193 with a stunning head kick, thus becoming the women’s bantamweight champion against the odds.
“I don’t think this one tops Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey as the biggest upset of all time. From a betting standpoint, that pencils also,” said Askren on Funky & The Champ. “I would look foolish, which happens sometimes, because I said ‘I don’t see how Strickland is going to win.’ I thought Sean Strickland was going to do what Sean Strickland did, which is try to walk him down and box him up. I thought there’s no way he’s going to do that for 25 minutes without getting clipped because Izzy has got a lot of weapons. The fact that that he would be able to do it for 25 minutes straight and not get clipped was so impressive.”
Strickland Dethrones the King
Strickland used his jab and cross effectively, even knocking Adesanya down in the first round. His left hook was landing too, and he kept Adesanya at bay with teep kicks to the body. He also checked a lot of the former champion’s leg kick attempts and stifled his movement with pressure. Strickland’s square stance also made it easier for him to block incoming head kick attempts.
“It was so impressive because Izzy is tricky,” continued Askren. He’s fast and he’s got a lot of tools and Strickland shut everything down.”
All quotes credit to MMA Junkie
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