Realistically, Strickland has 0% chance, right?

[ragreynolds]

Izzy has literally never lost because of being 'wrestlefucked'. Jan was outstriking/outpointing him prior to ever taking him down. I do agree that Strickland doesn't have much chance though.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

History has shown the only way to beat Adesanya is either by wrestlefuck or KO... Outpointing him is practically impossible, especially when there is no KO/Grappling threat... Strickland style of high volume jab point fighting will never work, he'll keep his distance and destroy his legs for 5 rounds. Terrible matchup.

I'll sort out the two extremes of 'There's always a chance' from 'Strickland has no chance against Izzy' to conclude there's a 2%-4% chance of victory for Strickland.

Actually, I just remembered the last time Strickland fought a kickboxer (Periera) and am lowering that to around 1%-3%.

 

[Joolazoo]

Izzy is very good but doesn't come across as unbeatable. He doesn't have that GSP or Anderson aura where you knew with GSP, you were in for a 50-45 night every time. Jan honestly made that fight look easy and Jan isn't some world beater. It just took the right gameplan and style.

I don't think Strickland's tip toe boxing styling is going to cause any problems for Izzy but he can be aggressive and he's a pretty big guy so you knew know. My main point is, Izzy doesn't feel invincible at all.

I truly think the hatred for the commentary has made people delusional about the Jan-izzy fight. Jan didn't make it look easy at all. Both fighters (Yes Jan) admitted that Izzy hurt him in the 3rd/4th. Anyone with 2 brain cells rubbing together can tell Jan was gassing on the feet and starting to lose which is why he laid on top of Izzy for the last 2 rounds.

Jan clearly won. The commentary was ass. If you can't point out those 2 distinct and unrelated things happening without creating some fantasyland situation where Jan pranced around the ring laughing while beating up Izzy you need to think deeper.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

Nothing in life is 100%.

So I would say Sean Strickland has a 0.000001% chance of winning.

Less than 1%, definitely.

He's too slow, too straightforward, too little head movement, too little intelligence, and offers too little variety to have a snowball's chance in hell of beating Israel Adesanya.

 

[Tweak896]

People were saying the same shit about Silva/Bisping including myself and somehow Bisping pulled it off. Although that was after Silva broke his leg and lost the title.

 

[snaportap21]

Anything can happen in MMA
Majority of people were giving Dricus close to no chance of beating Whittaker but he pulled it off in impressive fashion
I don't see Strickland beating Izzy, but i wouldn't say its 0 percent chance

DDP is way different. DDP is huge and a good striker. Whittaker always had trouble against strikers who could throw straight punches and had decent power. DDP’s style at least matched well against Whittaker.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

Watch Strickland be to Izzy as Weidman to Silva...

Strickland should do this camp at Serra-Longo.
Khabib was the only fighter great enough to defy the Serra-Longo effect.
NO ONE gave Aljo a chance against Yan after the way their first fight went.
NO ONE gave Serra a chance over GSP.
Weidman dethroned the most dominant champ of all-time.
But even the Long magic couldn't get Raging Al over the top.

 

[Fire Belly]

I think 5% is generous

 

[Masturbin]

Anytime you get top level fighters in there, there is never 0% chance. This sport at the top level has a very low margin for error and one mistake or good game plan can be the end of it. However, I think it’s safe to say stylistically Israel should and will be a heavy favorite. But the fanbase at large has been very, very wrong many times.

Strickland is not a top level fighter. He's mediocre.
Pretty much modern Bisping

 

[marvinparsons]

Strickland's only hope is that his relentless pace tires Adesanya out to the point where he can TKO him in like the 4th or 5th round.

Not likely, but that's his path to victory IMO.

 

[FreedomCricket]

If Strickland can stand in the pocket and take Izzy's counter punches while landing his own damage he has a shot.

I do think the best way to victory is to keep it equal or close to equal on the feet and then secure a takedown in 2 of 5 rounds with about 1:30 left in each round.

Strickland could possibly steal a decision that way. But if it does go to decision without and successful takedowns from Sean, I'm giving Izzy a 97% chance of victory.

 

[RonDante]

His best bet is walk forward constantly with a higher guard, jab jab jab force izzy to work and expend energy then pressure in the later rounds and mix in the takedowns the entire time

 

[InThySight]

Matt Serra beat gsp. There is always a chance.

Beat him with power, which Strickland doesn't possess. I won't say that it is absolutely zero percent, but I honestly struggle to visualize how it would be possible even if Adesanya came in his absolute worse condition ever. Maybe if Adesanya's chin would have entirely deteriorated - but even then...

 

[CrimsonFan]

Strickland is a good striker with good cardio, decent takedowns. Volume puncher.

I don't really see it. I do think he will put a better fight than people on here are giving him credit though. Likely win a round or two but lose a decision.


Maybe a 10 percent chance he wins the fight

 

[Royce's Gi]

History has shown the only way to beat Adesanya is either by wrestlefuck or KO... Outpointing him is practically impossible, especially when there is no KO/Grappling threat... Strickland style of high volume jab point fighting will never work, he'll keep his distance and destroy his legs for 5 rounds. Terrible matchup.

Don't forget that Stricky has triggered Izzy almost in the way how Conor did against Aldo.

Mental Warfare could make Izzy lose his temper and go for a KO

 

[Bearknuckle]

It’ll be a counter fest with izzy tagging sean up.

 

[Captain Insano]

Jan outstruck Izzy.

 

[KungFuCow]

Hopefully he learned his lesson after what happened with Alex and he fights a smarter fight.

 

[BlackStrap]

I think one thing that many people are not giving Strikland enough credit for is his work ethic and willingness to grow/learn. I always take note when I see a person immersed in the art. Remember when Cain, DC, and Khabib were basically living at AKA? That's the vibe I get from Strikland, he's always in camp and he's always putting in work. Of course, being at the gym 24/7 doesn't necessarily equate to growth, but the fact that he's willing to reach out to the likes of Perreira bodes especially well for him. Do not underestimate a strong and consistent work ethic. It may not be against the Stylebender in the short run, but I would not be surprised to see him with a belt at some point.

 

[Eiger]

He has a good coach in Eric Nicksick who I'd think could come up with as good a gameplan for Sean as just about anyone, so maybe that'd help increase his chances. But it's hard for me to visualize Strickland fighting in a way that's different than what we're used to seeing and I'm not sure how effective that's going to be against Adesanya. Pretty low odds I think.