We’ve just witnessed the most jaw-dropping upset of the year in the world of UFC. Sean Strickland achieved what many considered impossible, dethroning Israel Adesanya to become the new UFC middleweight champion. Strickland’s strategy appeared straightforward: overpower Adesanya and claim the middleweight title, and he executed it flawlessly throughout the entire fight. As expected by many, a substantial number of people bet against Strickland, leading to financial losses for some, including the Canadian rapper Drake, who lost nearly $1 million on his bet. So let’s dive into details of it.
Drake High-Stakes Gamble Backfires: Sean Strickland Upsets Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, Costing Him Nearly $1 Million
Not too far in the past, Izzy was riding high on cloud nine following his victory over his arch-rival, Alex Periera, which allowed him to recapture the middleweight championship. However, this time around, his stint as the champion turned out to be disappointingly brief, as he faced a unanimous decision loss. During the match, Strickland consistently presented Izzy with tough challenges that left him grappling for answers.
He continuously unleashed powerful strikes on Izzy, creating moments where a TKO victory seemed imminent. Yet, Izzy’s unwavering resolve pushed the fight into the fifth round. Strickland clinched a unanimous decision win, with all three judges scoring it 49-46, cementing one of UFC’s most noteworthy championship upsets. Many who bet against Strickland faced losses, including Drake, who lost almost $1 million from his wager.
The Canadian rapper flaunted a staggering $500,000 wager placed on UFC middleweight champion Adesanya to secure a knockout victory over Strickland in the main event. If Adesanya had emerged victorious with a knockout, he would have pocketed $920,000. However, with his loss, he missed out on the opportunity to claim nearly $1 million.
Stories On UFC PPV’s You Must Read:
The ‘Drake Curse,’ a phenomenon that has made the rapper infamous in the world of combat sports, has evolved into a widely recognized internet meme. In simple terms, when Drake publicly supports a team or athlete by wearing their jersey or openly declaring his support, they tend to experience defeat. And once again, this pattern has repeated itself, sparking discussions across the internet.
Editors pick
