'Never in a million years' - New champion Sean Strickland reacts to stunning upset of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293

Sean Strickland seemed no less surprised than the rest of the UFC world when he was announced as the new Middleweight champion following a unanimous points victory over reigning champion Israel Adesanya.

Speaking in the ring after the fight, Strickland admitted he had not expected victory.

He said: "Literally never in a million years would I have thought I'd be here, man."

Strickland was not exaggerating. He had not even been in line to fight for the title until fellow contender Dricus du Plessis dropped out with a foot injury.

Adesanya had already cleaned out the other challengers in the top six, so the chance fell to Strickland.

The American added as much as.

He said: "You don't fight that guy, with that many highlight reel knockouts, he's beaten the majority of my friends. He's beat them pretty easily."

Strickland was a huge outsider coming into the fight and he conceded during the interview that even he had been lacking confidence but credited the Australian crowd for helping him find it.

He said: "Man I was even kind of doubting myself at times but I've got to say the fans in Australia, you guys motivated me. Not even, not even joking around. When I'm walking in here and I hear you guys yelling. I want to thank you guys for this win."

Facing the two-time champion as the number six ranked fighter in the middleweight division, Strickland had been expected to be little more than a speedbump for Adesanya but his dream start - he floored the champ in the first round - set the tone for a shock outcome.

He said: "I give up so many braincells to the MMA gods every day. I thought I'd be walking away a little bloody, a little broken up, I'm still shocked that that didn't happen but... this is the first time I'm lost for words you guys."

As he made his way out of the arena with his new title belt around his waist, Strickland told the cameras he half expected to wake up from a dream any moment.

He said: "I don't know man, I'm still waiting to wake up, I might still be dreaming. Who knows these things."

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