This past Saturday in Sydney, Australia, one of the biggest upsets in UFC title fight history went down as Sean Strickland shocked the world, dominating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293.
Let’s take a look at what could be next for the losers of the night.
Israel Adesanya
Not only did Israel Adesanya lose, but he was completely dominated at his own game. Strickland beat one of the best strikers to ever step foot in the Octagon with a simple 1-2.
There are now looming questions about what Israel Adesanya will possibly do next and the options are seemingly unknown at this point. UFC President Dana White said at the post fight press conference that with a fight like that and with it being such a huge upset, you likely run it back immediately. He also had his criticism for the former champion: “Israel looked like he was in slow motion, he looked like he couldn’t get off, he looked like he was really stiff tonight. He looked very slow.
“I think you do the rematch absolutely. The rematch is interesting.”
The majority of fans really aren’t fond of that idea though being as though Adesanya is 2-2 in his last four fights and already had an immediate rematch with Pereira to re-gain his title. Unfortunately though we didn’t get any answers from Adesanya nor ideas of what he wants next, as he sent his head coach, Eugene Bareman, to speak to the media.
The 34-year-old has always been one of the most active champions in the promotion and has always prided himself on that ethic. I think we could see a situation where he takes a big step back from fighting, and takes a considerable time out from the sport.
If that is the case, the division will likely be in a completely different position by the time he gets back, but that’ll only make his return feel bigger, and I’m sure that’s what the UFC would believe too. I see Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis happening next, with Adesanya fighting the winner. Do I think that’s what should happen, well that’s another answer.
Israel Adesanya’s Next Fight: The winner of Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis (If that is what’s next)
Tai Tuivasa
The banger from Western Sydney unfortunately couldn’t put it together on Saturday night for his home crowd, as he was finished by Alexander Volkov.
That leaves Tuivasa in an extremely precarious position as he is now riding a three fight losing skid. Because of how big of a personality and fan favourite he is, the UFC won’t let him go, but he now has to pick his fights wisely.
Marcin Tybura is coming off a loss to Tom Aspinall, and that is a fight that could make sense for both in their next outings.
Tai Tuivasa’s Next Fight: Marcin Tybura
Felipe dos Santos
Despite it being dos Santos’ promotional debut against a highly ranked contender, he came in and looked as sharp as a razor. The Brazilian met fire with fire and it resulted in the Fight of the Night and a Fight of the Year contender.
A similar thing happened a few months back when fellow countryman, Diego Lopes took a fight with Movsar Evloev on short notice and came in and cause him a world of trouble.
Because of how well Felipe performed against an immediate title contender, the UFC can see that he is already good enough to be fighting inside the top 15 of the rankings. It is clear to see that the 22-year-old has an extremely bright future in the sport.
I would like to see the Chute Boxe product fight Sumudaerji in his next fight, as that would be a guaranteed banger.
Felipe dos Santos’ Next Fight: Sumudaerji
Austen Lane
One of the least anticipated rematches of all time came in the heavyweight division as Austen Lane and Justin Tafa met again, after their first fight in June ended due to an accidental eye poke.
It almost happened again in the opening exchanges of the fight as Austen Lane sunk yet another index into the eye of the New Zealander. It only angered Tafa more though and he subsequently knocked out the former NFL player.
A fight between Austen Lane and Jamal Pogues could make sense next.
Austen Lane’s Next Fight: Jamal Pogues
Anton Turkalj
The Swede, Turkalj, seemed to be given a more favourable matchup this time round, as his opening two UFC fights came against streaking Brazilian contenders.
Despite that though, he still couldn’t get the job done against Tyson Pedro who was coming in off a loss to Modestas Bukauskas. Turkalj made it clear to Pedro on the lead up to this fight, that he was going to make him ‘taste the pleasure man’.
Fortunately for Pedro, the only thing thing he could taste was the sweet taste of victory after he knocked Turkalj out after just two minutes and 12 seconds.
Someone else who recently lost and will be on the same timeline is Bogdan Guskov. Why not match them up?
Anton Turkalj’s Next Fight: Bogdan Guskov
