Sean Strickland: Goddamn, dude. I feel like the guy didn’t even try

• UFC

Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) was very excited at the press conference after last Saturday's title fight. He talked about the course of the match and the way of fighting, but the greatest interest of the journalists was caused by his claim that Israel Adesanya was not as usual.

He stated that this does not diminish his merits and victory, but he has the feeling that former champion Israel Adesanya did not give his best.
“Goddamn, dude. I feel like the guy didn’t even try,” Strickland told reporters including MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference.

“There were times where he was throwing punches and I was like, ‘Am I fighting an amateur, right now? What the f*ck is going on?’ But yeah, I think I run my mouth a lot and people forget I can fight. But here we are, you guys.

You’re going to have to talk to me a bit longer. Sorry about that”. as quoted by MMAJunkie. Sean Strickland is very much in the mood for a story after becoming champion. UFC boss Dana White gave a similar statement to reporters as Strickland, and he thinks that Israel didn't do his best and that he lacked motivation.

However, Dana White indicated that the UFC could organize a new match between these two fighters for the champion belt.

Israel Adesanya's lack of motivation or insufficient readiness

“You know, I thought I was going to be leaving with a concussion but I feel relatively fine other than a few bumps and bruises,” Strickland said.

“The game plan was to wrestle, you guys. We wrestled all camp. But when you’re a little autistic, you just do what you do. I think I’m one of the best strikers in the world. Any time you’re doing the ‘man dance,’ you’re one punch away from being knocked out.

But I could spar with any world champion boxer and get the better of them. I don’t know, man. I just think I’m one of the best strikers in the world”.