The 32-year-old Strickland, who made a stir with controversial comments before the fight, wins unanimous five-round decision.
American Sean Strickland has stunned Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya to take the middleweight title by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 293, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Australia’s largest city in six years.
The 32-year-old Strickland (28-5), who caused a stir in the lead-up to the fight with sexist and misogynistic comments at a news conference promoting the bout, won a five-round decision with all three judges scoring it 49-46.
“Am I dreaming? Am I going to wake up? Someone hit me … I don’t cry much but I’m trying to keep it together right now,” an emotional Strickland said immediately after the bout. “I give up so many brain cells to the MMA gods … I thought I’d be walking away a little bloody, a little broken up. I’m a little shocked that didn’t happen.”
Backed by strong vocal support at Qudos Bank Arena, Adesanya (24-3) was a clear favourite to subdue his controversial American opponent and retain the title he won from Alex Pereira at UFC 281 in April.
But the 32-year-old Strickland’s counterattacking style was brutally effective with the American landing the more telling shots throughout the fight with Adesanya struggling to find a way to hurt Strickland.

After a patient start by both fighters which saw Adesanya probing Strickland’s unusual style, it was the American who found the first telling strike with a clean straight shot that felled Adesanya. Strickland quickly moved in on the 34-year-old New Zealander’s back with a flurry of strikes to close out the first round in the American’s favour.
Adesanya was more assertive in the second and third rounds, finding his range with his kicks and right-hand shots but continued to leave himself open for Strickland to strike at his body and head.
The final rounds saw Adesanya move more into his shell as the New Zealander struggled to make an imprint on the American’s defence. Strickland sensed the opportunity to go after the champion and a flurry of punches and kicks in the final minute helped ensure the decision and the middleweight title.
“You don’t fight that guy with that many highlight-reel knockouts,” Strickland said about Adesanya. “The majority of my friends, he’s beat pretty easily. I was even kind of doubting myself at times.”
“But I’ve got to say, the fans in Australia, you guys motivated me. When I’m walking in here and I heard you guys yelling. In that fourth round, I heard you guys yelling. It fuelled me.”

The UFC fight made news in the New South Wales state legislature, where the leading government politician was forced to defend his state’s payment of about $10m to help ensure the UFC event came to Sydney, for the first time since 2017, after Strickland made sexist and misogynistic comments about putting women back in the kitchen.
Strickland had agreed to fight on late notice after Adesanya’s South African rival Dricus du Plessis was unavailable due to injury. The fifth-ranked American earned his title shot after wins over Abus Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov.
In the co-main event, Alexander Volkov (37-10) won his heavyweight bout by submission in the second round against 30-year-old Sydney-born Tai Tuivasa.
The 34-year-old Russian dominated the fight despite an injury to his front leg which Tuivasa had targeted earlier in the round, with a lopsided strike count as he landed hit after hit on the Australian before trapping him in a choke hold which forced Tuivasa to tap out.
“[He took] so many punches and he was still on his legs. This guy is very tough,” said 34-year-old Volkov, who won by submission for the first time since 2016.
Australian Tyson Pedro opened the main card knocking out Sweden’s Anton Turkalj in the first round before New Zealander Justin Tafa did the same to American Austen Lane in a heavyweight bout and Manel Kape beat Felipe dos Santos by a five-round unanimous decision in an entertaining flyweight match.

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In a clash between former heavyweight title challengers, Derek Chisora (34-12, 23 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Gerald Washington (20-6-1, 13 KOs). 39-year-old Chisora, coming off a WBC title shot against Tyson Fury in December, pressed the action against 41-year-old Washington in a slow-paced fight. Scores were 98-93, 97-94, 96-94.

Unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (10-0, 9 KOs) stopped Harry Armstrong (5-2-1, 0 KOs) in round seven to claim the vacant English Southern Area title. Fisher dropped Armstrong in the first ten seconds, then seemingly punched himself out a bit trying unsuccessfully to get the finish. Fisher finally broke through again in round seven, dropping Armstrong, and getting the stoppage with his follow up barrage as Armstrong’s corner threw in the towel. Time was 1:19.

Super lightweight Campbell Hatton (13-0, 5 KOs), son of ring legend Ricky Hatton, outpointed Tom Ansell (10-5, 2 KOs) over eight rounds by a score of 78-74.
Other Results:
George Liddard W6 Bas Oosterweghel (middleweight)
Brandon Scott W6 Louis Norman (featherweight)
Maiseyrose Courtney W6 Gemma Ruegg (female super flyweight)
Liddard – Oosterweghel was an awesome fight! Tons of action and big heart from both guys, Ooster in particular.
Hatton vs. Ansell was a one-dimensional and one speed fight. Anemic at best…
sounds like a terrible fight, as chisora gets a predictable win. i guess, good for him
Chisora got a cherry-picked paycheck last December fighting Fury as a personal favor to line his pocket. Oddly, this matchup was a dud. Chisora, I doubt has any tools left to regain a legit belt unless he gets lucky by the skin of his teeth. Washington fought more defensive than offensive making this fight even more boring.
Understand your opinion Scooby…but Chisora is actually a skilled fighter just old..,in shape Chisora can be deadly…good body puncher for a heavyweight…see a lot of decent skills in Chisora…again he is just old…he is a good draw…that is why he continues to get fights…even if the competition is C level….can be fun to watch…
Yes, I agree, he is a durable and experienced fighter. However, now, I am simply stating my current assessment of his status. What is scary is… Advanced aging means higher risk for injuries in the ring. He has young daughters and needs to take that into consideration in my opinion.
Chisora and Washington need to retired it no shame both had great careers fought for world heavyweight titles unfortunately father time catch up.
I smell dell boy vs AJ on the horizon
Chisora is a tough fighter.
Still dangerous if he really wants it. But, I think he just love to fight anyone and really doesnt care enough of his career. A warrior. You got to respect that.

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54-year-old Boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. (66-9, 47 KOs) returns to the ring for his first official fight in over five years when he faces pro-debuting former MMA world champion Anthony Pettis, 36, in a six-round cruiserweight clash on Saturday in a $49.99 pay-per-view event from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Roy Jones Jr: “It’s fun to still be able to do what I love doing. I’m looking forward to an awesome event come Saturday night. I challenged myself to make the 200-pound weight for this fight. You don’t want to be the guy who can’t set an example. I’ve always wanted to set a good example…if I show that at 54 years old, that I can dedicate myself to a training camp and get back down to weight, that’s going to say a lot for the fighters I train. They can’t give me any more excuses.
“With the skill level I bring to the table, I can go anywhere and do anything any time I get ready I feel good and I’m glad to be here…I’m too old to be playing around. I have to come and get it. When I come to get it, I’m the most entertaining thing you’ve ever seen in your life.”
Roy Jones Jr. 199.1 vs. Anthony Pettis 198.5
Vitor Belfort 200.9 vs. Ronaldo Souza 199.9
Jose Aldo 148 vs. Jeremy Stephens 146.9
Luis Feliciano 143.5 vs. Clarence Booth 144.8
Devin Cushing 131.6 vs. Damian Marchiano 130
Pearl Gonzalez 125.7 vs. Gina Mazany 126.5
Cecil Cleckler 248.5 vs. Joshua Burns 275.4
Venue: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Promoter: Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing
TV: PPV
Very sad news, deplorable could be another word to describe it
Tragic
what if he looks good, the competition isn’t that demanding, and it’s only 6 rounds, its his job
The guy loves boxing and wants to box. I don’t see that as sad or deplorable. As long as he isn’t set to fight legit contenders, he can do what he wants. If he tries to go that route, than the commissions need to step in and shut it down.
Don’t do it, Roy!
Dude, it’s too late. That was the weigh in!
Nothing
Is
Real
Sadly
omyyy. hopefully this wont ruin his upcoming celebrity boxing plans
I watched an interview with Roy a couple of days ago and while listening to him talk about it, I didn’t really have much of a problem with it but after seeing him now about to go through with it… no. This is not a good idea.
I’ve never been a fan of Roy Jones. Never liked his style, his clowning in the ring, and especially the horrid rap music he used for his usual ring entrances. I was hoping we had seen the last of that ridiculous style if his. No interest in seeing him back. I’m sure he will be doing a lot of posing, fighting cautiously to protect that delicate noggin of his. One clubbing right-wing power shot on that noggin and he’s in trouble.
You might simply of said – I don’t like boxing.
your not a pure boxing fan roy jones was a great fighter his speed and power put him in a class a lone and he didn’t always play, he never was in no trouble with no punches until he made one big mistake and that was pride, he just won the heavyweight championship of the world and mind you he beat tarver once before but pride wanted him to put him in his place but instead of taking 8 to 10 months to get his body acclimated to 175 after he was all muscle at 200 he did it much sooner and his body wasn’t prepared to fight and though he won the first meeting with tarver he wasnt the same yet a strong doctor could of helped him then and kept him out the ring for atleast another year then he would of be ready and would of destroyed tarver and glenn johnson, but some some fighters are never the same after being knocked out, but you cant take nothing away of his achievements
You are exactly correct you need time for your body to get acclimated to the weight
I don’t think you know who RJJ is.
You must be and 54yr old still sitting on your lounge trying to work out how to throw a jab. Probably never exercised in your life. Just a true hater of one of the GOAT’s. RJJ 54 still going hard. You a 54yr old still trying to get off the lounge or you a 54yr old still playing with your Commodore 64 game console. I’ve said enough!!!!!! Boogey down like James brown.
Roy by decision
Its very, very sad to see him do this. These men are legends who say they love the sport of boxing in which they once excel. I give them that but when the time to walk away has come them you proudly go out and never look back like Marciano and Joe Calzhage for example. The knock outs from which you easily recovered in your youth can kill or paralyze you in age. Another thing stop being so freaking jealous of the youth. You had your turn, train them and let them do the fighting, and stay to hell out of their way.
Good comment! 100% true.
Everything true and reasonable what u say. He also doesnt look like in very good shape. There are more than enough mid 50s who are ripped as hell and look god like. Roy doesnt look too sharp and he doesnt look like he is training on a daily basis.
He needs to be careful Prayers…
Prayers? for what exactly?
Roy..great one..please DON’T! Stay home & enjoy the fruit of your labor champ.
He was able to pull out a ‘draw’ vs Tyson in the exhibition by doing nothing but taking punches. I guess he thinks if he can do that vs Tyson, this should be easy.
I love Roy. I don’t care at all if they die in the ring. It’s what they want to do, it’s what they love to do. I’m fine with it. I hope he shows age ain’t nothin but a number. We’re all gonna get old but nobody wants to accept it. Let’em play, it’s their life and their decision. They know the risk, they’ve known it all their lives. It’s all good. Let’s go Roy!
You love Roy, but you don’t care if he gets beaten to death in a boxing ring.
Are you serious?
Not at all. It’s his choice.
And people shouldn’t always get to do whatever they want.
The guy is 54, has been knocked out a few times, is fighting against someone much younger who very well could do some real damage to him, and even if he wins he gains nothing.
Sometimes boxers need to be saved from themselves.
If Roy had retired after breaking John Ruiz he would have been recognized as one of the greatest fighters in history next to Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong etc.
But he stuck around too long and made the mistake of going back down in weight after the Ruiz fight.
But seriously Roy let it go. Let the world remember how fast, dynamic, and powerful you were in your prime. You don’t need the money. Your body doesn’t need the risk. Let it go my man .
Beating, not breaking. Stupid autocorrect.
I agree but it’s not about the record or the history, he just loves boxing. It’s his connection to feeling alive. He’s up there with Robinson and Armstrong for anyone who knows beyond what’s just in print. He loves this, I don’t think I can stand in the way of that in the name of other peoples feelings about appropriateness.
Jesus Cristo! He looks like a flabby old man trying to flex! He looked pretty bad and flabby when he fought Tyson back in 20. He looks likes he’s aged 10 years since then. He needs to cut this out. It’s seriously been 20 years since he last really shined as a fighter. He went from great to mediocre overnight in about 2004. A few years back he fought a guy making his pro debut. All I have to say is -porque Roy?
I’ll give him this chance just to see what it means to be so afraid of death that it’s a woman or another mortal challenge to try and be 20 something again.
I’m a huge fan of Roy Jones, Jr. but I do not want to see him in the ring again. Please Roy, don’t do it.
this is very sad…….this fight should be stopped……..roy is way past his prime…….roy has nothing more to prove…i will not be watching an old man get the crap punched out of him…….
It socks to get old.
Woow…didn’t see that one coming. 100 years ago, Roy would have probably have been dead by now, as the average life expectancy was 56 for a man. I guess he feels since he’s alive and may go another 25 years, why not do what he was bred to do. Lexus Nexus your comments are sacrilegious; Roy was one of the best to ever have done it and in his prime his “style” was the most athletic and devastating style to ever be witnessed in a ring. He once hit Bryant Brannon with three left hooks in one second! He knocked out that Australian dude with a punch that came from having his hands behind his back! He shattered the rib cage of the naturally larger and cagey Virgil Hill with one punch! He entertained in every sense of the word. The NBA plays rap music as well as the NFL and MLB but you still watch it.
Roy has made a mockery of himself in recent years. He absolutely refuses to hang up the gloves. His last few fights ended in concussions. The boxing/MMA commissions should never approve a fight between Roy and anyone. (Another fighter, the mailman, the ice-cream truck man, a part time lawyer) or anyone else who agrees to fight him. It is going to take something tragic happening before he stops. His license should be revoked worldwide. Enjoy training, commentating, training upcoming talent, or just sitting in a hammock reminiscing about your former ring time, but he should never be allowed to enter a professional prize fight again.
You can train , get fit and may even be quick as you once were for a round or 2. But one thing you can’t improve as it diminishes is resistance to take a shot. Fingers crossed champ.
One of the best fighters ever. It’s a six round fight. The fact that he’s able to make weight like that at his age is a great accomplishment. Life expectancy is increasing every decade. I’m very confident that Jones will be fine in this fight. I understand people saying no because they’re worried about his quality of life and health. But don’t judge by saying Roy wasn’t a good fighter. He beat toney and Hopkins in their prime.
So Roy must really love boxing and all the attention in the ring, otherwise I can’t explain why he didn’t already retire after his devastating losses to Antonio Tarver, or Glen Johnson.
I was asking myself back then, is it really necessary to get knocked out by the likes of Danny Green, Lebedev or Maccarinelli?
Just remain a commentator, Roy.
Absolutely ridiculous
I bet you none of yawl that’s talking about R.J. Could come close to doing what he does, haters!
Heard that. Roy gonna play with this tomato can
54 FFS!
The funny thing is he will beat Pettis. Pettis use to be great at mma boxing at 155. I watched his whole career. Roy will beat him
I agree Roy will get him and Pettis will get some good shots in but that’s it. Roy will play with him
Child support draining jones account!
I thought they pasted Roy’s head on my 60 year old body.
I wonder if this is a case of no money? I had seen RJJ working as a commentator, I think it was for HBO, I know that HBO boxing shows are no longer, not sure if RJJ is still doing any commentating. There is nothing that this show contributes to boxing….
Roy’s dreaming, tonight he realises its nightmare… You can’t beat father time, he’s already proven that several times.
So pathetic of Jones. My absolute worst boxing memories are of an over-the-hill Jones getting ko’d by fighters he would have toyed with previously.
Exhibition only right? Hopefully KOs aren’t allowed and no shots to the head…..for Roy’s sake…I hope.
Oh dear.
Yea Roy can still be the man God will have the say
I cannot believe he is still fighting. Props to his love of the sport, I just hope he doesn’t get hurt.
Anyone who thinks this is okay isn’t much of a boxing fan. You were probably saying the same thing when Mathew Saad Muhammad and Frankie Randall were has-beens and still getting punched in the head. They both died way before their time primarily from damage inflicted late in their boxing careers.
ROY JONES setting a good example??????
How many STEROID tests did he fail? And all were covered up. Should be jailed for animal cruelty… Cock (birds!!!!!) fighting.
Stop nothing wrong with bird or dog fighting
What I think is people are missing the main point here. Weather or not you think this is a good idea or not is…..They want $50 to watch this?
Someone is Punch Drunk!
He looks absolutely horrible, and when one thinks of the amount of brutal kos he suffered in his career, he should never be allowed in the ring again, even sparring, He has always been an arrogant guy, this may cost him his life.
Putin Is 70 plus yrs old
Trump is 70 plus and are still going hard. Nobody telling them to retire. RJJ still has another 20yrs in him. Go hard Roy.
49.95 PPV! I remember that the Mike Tyson fights cost this much when he started doing PPV. I think it’s still too much to pay these days.
This shouldn’t be allowed.
You people are dumb as hell with your comments. Have you seen the odds? Roy’s like a minus 500!! Vs a 36 year old former mma guy who never boxed in his life!! I’d say Roy got this even at his age lol he isn’t fighting Terrance Crawford or Errol Spence you people sound stupid. Let him have his fun making loot with his name fighting a guy who never boxed!!
Man, man, man. Although I’m staunchly against PEDs in boxing, after 50 I will look the other way, if just for cosmetics only. Just enough to tone yourself up.
Roy’s time is over. Boxing is not a sport for old men. He is getting in there with someone almost 20 years younger. He is going to get smashed.
This should NOT be allowed
I hope it will not end up like poor Evander Holyfield last year against the MMA guy. It brought out all the MMA fans making fun of boxing afterwards.
yee..
I hear Larry Holmes mumbling somewhere..
Punch drunk a dwelling on past glories, Roy you’ll be remembered for the wrong reasons
Very sad news. Why RJJ? You were a legend now you are just a PPV payday for someone else…worst part is any of these fights can leave him hurt for life…
come on Roy…..You look like an old man. Ya’ll musta forgot getting knock out of the ring some years back. And that was no draw that you were gifted against Tyson lol.
We love you Roy and understand your competive nature but nobody wants to see you get viciously knocked out. Please be ready
Why?
Quit while you still have your good looks
How can Jones fight, when it was reported he had brain damage, like 7-8 years ago? Jones lost, we love you, now go away
Hes gotta do it if not it’ll eat at him. Keep’em up Roy
Money, money, money must be funny in a rich man’s world !
Jones is still gonna show why boxing is the ultimate sport. Gonna knock that tomato can out
Time to stop give it up

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