Joe Rogan, the iconic voice of the UFC, found himself watching a monumental clash from the comfort of his home during UFC 293, and he couldn’t help but express some regret as Sean Strickland shockingly humbled Israel Adesanya. Rogan, a regular fixture at the commentary desk for UFC events, chose to host a watch party for this particular overseas bout.
The clash between Adesanya and Strickland had been brewing with animosity for months, a fact not lost on Rogan. As the fight night unfolded, he delved into the background of their heated rivalry. “Well, Strickland called him a Chinese slt, so Izzy is leaning into it. He’s coming into this fight with China stripes and China colors on his shorts,” Rogan explained during the watch party, alongside Bryan Callen, Sam Tripoli, and Brendan Schaub. “Because he used to fight in China, and he said my heart is Chinese, my spirit is Chinese. He said some sht to promote a fight.”
Despite not being physically present in Sydney, Rogan’s enthusiasm for the matchup was palpable. “I wish I was there for that,” he mused as Strickland went on to deliver an underdog performance of a lifetime, ultimately securing the title via unanimous decision.
The intense rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland had been festering for quite some time. It escalated during the UFC 276 press conference when Strickland taunted Adesanya by referencing his kickboxing loss to Alex Pereira. Their verbal exchanges included Strickland’s jabs at Adesanya’s painted nails and anime references.
The unexpected twist came when both fighters ended up facing each other. Despite Strickland being the clear underdog, his trash talk had resonated with fans. He unearthed several controversies from Adesanya’s past, including accusations of selling out by promoting a Chinese kickboxing fight and donning red shorts as an homage to China. Adesanya, in turn, criticized Strickland for signing with Monster Energy and brought up videos of Strickland’s interactions with his dog.
The feud escalated when Strickland slammed Adesanya for his public dispute with his ex-girlfriend at UFC 290. Although Strickland emerged victorious against the two-time champion, it appears this rivalry is far from over.
After the fight, both fighters showed respect for each other, but given their history, it’s expected that their interactions will take a different tone when they meet again. The question now is, what’s next for these two fiery fighters? Fans eagerly await the next chapter in this intense rivalry. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
