UFC: Strickland blasts Adesanya’s ‘Chinese colours’ after title upset

New UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland blasted Israel Adesanya for wearing “Chinese colours” in their Sydney title fight on Sunday.

American Strickland, 32, shocked the world with a unanimous decision in the UFC 293 main event, where he knocked the two-time champion down in the first round at the Qudos Bank Arena.

The 34-year-old Nigeria-born New Zealander – wearing red and yellow shorts – never seemed to recover and looked sluggish throughout the rest of the fight, after which he paid tribute to Strickland – who was a +600 betting underdog with some bookmakers.

After a fractious build-up, the two seemed to share a moment of respect in the cage, but Strickland later took aim at “The Last StyleBender” for his choice to ring attire.

“Walking out, all the love, even in the fourth and fifth round they were cheering,” Strickland said, when asked by reporters backstage about the reception he received from fans in Sydney.

“But at the end of the day, Izzy made it easy. He walked out with the Chinese shorts on. I know he’s not Australian, but how the f*** does that happen. Like, I’m asking you guys – why did he have Chinese shorts on?

“This is the problem with this world. I’m sure Izzy has spent a lot of time in Australia. All Izzy had to do was say, ‘Hey you guys, I am an immigrant to New Zealand, to this part of the world, and you guys welcomed me as one of your own and gave me a great life and I want to thank everybody for that and for giving me this opportunity’.

“But he didn’t. He said ‘I am Chinese’. I don’t know guys. What does one say to this? I mean, you guys are Australian, or [from] New Zealand.”

“I won the fans over. China took me to heart. They started calling me the Black Dragon and I started winning,” Adesanya told the Post in a 2019 interview.

Sunday’s fight finished on a frantic note with UFC pound-for-pound No 5 Adesanya (24-3) chasing a knockout as Strickland (28-5) walked his opponent down and talked trash, all while the crowd erupted.

“I think I was calling him a China Man. I was saying, ‘Come on China Man, let’s fight’. That’s what he is, the China Man,” Strickland added.

“Izzy’s a legend and I don’t like to make fun of him. But he came out with the Chinese colours. Dude, the Chinese colours, man. What the f*** are you thinking?

“What is the logic coming out to the CCP Communist Party, bro? Even now, talking about it, I can’t wrap my head around that spineless s***.”