After campaigning for a title shot, Sean Strickland has lastly been granted simply that by UFC CEO Dana White.
Competing for the UFC middleweight title, Israel Adesanya makes his lengthy awaited return to the octagon on August 17. He’ll face fierce rival Dricus Du Plessis, with the winner having their subsequent matchup already confirmed.
In response to Dana White, Sean Strickland has accomplished sufficient to take care of his number-one contender spot and can struggle for UFC gold subsequent.
Nevertheless, earlier than Strickland can step in, Adesanya and Du Plessis should settle their variations this weekend. White mentioned the upcoming middleweight title struggle throughout a latest interview.
“There’s actual warmth between these guys,” White instructed Jim Rome. “Usually, when you could have this sort of warmth, the struggle may not be as nice as all of the discuss is.”
“However, these are two actually proficient guys. World class-level guys. Legendary. Izzy’s an absolute legend within the sport, of MMA and kickboxing. This ought to be an important most important occasion.”
Whereas many anticipated the winner of Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev’s highly-anticipated conflict to be granted a shot on the throne subsequent, these rumors have now been dismissed.
Dana White insisted that Sean Strickland would be the subsequent challenger at 185 lbs.
Associated: Sean Strickland boycotting ‘woke’ Harley Davidson
“Hear, Sean Strickland proper now’s the primary ranked middleweight on this planet, and the reply is sure [He will fight for the title next].”
“We now have Whittaker vs. Chimaev, so we will have some enjoyable fights… Khamzat ought to be ranked up there within the prime 5, however he is been inactive as a result of he retains getting sick earlier than he fights.”
“All these fights are going to play out within the middleweight division, which goes to create some unbelievable fights for us going into 2025.”
Try Dana White’s look on The Jim Rome Present beneath.
Tuesday:2:00p ET Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) 2:20p Dana White (@danawhite) 📻: @InfSportsNet📡: Sirius XM 158📺: @X https://t.co/KaneBOlu1w
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) August 13, 2024