Sean Strickland has an unpopular opinion: 'I just don't think Israel Adesanya is that good'

Sean Strickland suggests Israel Adesanya is overrated.

Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) dethroned Adesanya to claim the middleweight title in a big upset win at UFC 293. He then lost his belt at UFC 297 to Dricus Du Plessis, who submitted Adesanya in Saturday’s UFC 305 headliner in Perth.

Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) now finds himself in unfamiliar waters after having lost three of his past four, and Strickland says he was never sold on “The Stylebender.” He referenced his war with Kelvin Gastelum in 2018 as one of the indicators.

“I have an unpopular opinion. You guys aren’t going to like it. I just don’t think Izzy’s that good,” Strickland said on the “Verse Us with Eric Nicksick” podcast. “So when he fought Kelvin – and I think Kelvin sucks – everyone is like, ‘Oh, Izzy is this and that.’ Dude, I’ve sparred Kelvin so many times.

“I’m like, ‘You kind of had a close fight with Kelvin. You’re not that f*cking good.’ Like, you’re not that f*cking good. You fought f*cking (Paulo) Costa, and Costa was scared sh*tless of you. You f*cking blew on him, he fell sleep. Izzy is just not that f*cking good.”

Adesanya’s past 12 appearances have been title fights, but the likes of Michael Bisping think his championship days are likely over. Strickland rebounded from his loss to Du Plessis with a win over Costa at UFC 302. He hopes to get the opportunity to rematch Du Plessis next after dropping a close decision loss to him.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.