(Warning: Story contains coarse language)
Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on Sept. 9 in Sydney, UFC president Dana White announced Tuesday.
The contest will be Adesanya’s 11th consecutive UFC title fight.
Adesanya was expected to take on Strickland once No. 1 middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis withdrew from contention in mid-July due to a foot injury.
Strickland holds a 27-5 MMA record and is the No. 5 middleweight contender. The 32-year-old won by TKO against Abusupiyan Magomedov in his last contest on July 1 at UFC Vegas 76, earning the Performance of the Night award.
Adesanya stood firm on fighting in Sydney at UFC 293 and welcomed Strickland as his next opponent.
“I’m fighting in Sydney,” Adesanya said in mid-July. “I don’t give a fuck who. … Strickland, you’re in. Let’s do the man dance. Show you how to really dance.”
A heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkov will act as the co-main event. The main card will also feature a flyweight contest between Kai Kara-France and Manel Kape and a fight between Viviane Araujo and Jennifer Maia.
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