Israel Adesanya's will take on number five ranked Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 Sydney on Spetember 10. Photo: AFP / Carmen Mandato
New Zealand MMA fighter Israel Adesanya will headline next month's UFC 293 in Sydney after organisers finalised his opponent.
The UFC middleweight champion will take on number five ranked Sean Strickland of the United States on September 10.
Strickland wasn't Adesanya's preferred opponent as he has been vocal about wanting to fight Dricus Du Plessis.
However the South African hasn't fully recovered from his win over New Zealand-born Australian Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 last month.
"I need to channel my inner pitbull, go nose to nose, and have a war," Stickland said.
The Californiain has had two wins this year, recovering from a couple of big losses in 2022.
Strickland was knocked out by Adesanya's long time rival Alex Pereira in July 2022 and suffered a split decision loss to Jarred Cannonier, another of Adesanya's victims, in December.
It will mark Adesanya's eleventh consecutive UFC title fight with president Dana White praising Adesnaya's attitude as a champion.
"He's always ready to take on the best in the world, anyone, anytime."
White said his American opponent will make it an entertaining fight.
"Stickland is an absolute maniac who doesnt back down from anyone."
The other feature bout in Sydney has Australian fan favourite Tai Tuivasa taking on Russian Alexander Volkov in the heavyweight division.
"Both of these guys have insane power, no judges will be needed," said White.
Also in the heavyweight division, New Zealander Justin Tafa will have a rematch with American Austen Lane.
The pair met back in June though it was ended in a no contest after Lane poked Tafa in the eye after just thirty seconds.
The card will feature six kiwi fighters at the Sydney Superdome.
Kai Kara france will look to get back in title contention when he fights Manel Kape in Sydney. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
Former flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France will take on number nine ranked Manel Kape of Angola.
Kara-France has lost his last two bouts including a title fight with former champion Brandon Moreno and a highly debated split decision loss to Amir Albazi last month.
Kape (18-6) has won three in a row but has fought just once since the start of 2022.
Kara-France's City Kickboxing teammate Michael Mathetha faces American Charlie Radtke in the welterweight division.
Light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg will go up against South Korea's Da Woon Jung.
Ulberg comes into the fight with an 8-1 record and is riding a four-fight win streak since losing his UFC debut.
Featherweight, Shane Young, who is on a three fight losing streak, meets Brazilain Gabriel Miranda.
Full fight card-
Israel Adesanya (c) vs Sean Strickland
Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov
Jamie Mullarkey vs. John Makdessi
Kai Kara-France vs. Manel Kape
Carlos Ulberg vs. Jung Da-un
Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj
Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane
Jack Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal
Shane Young vs. Gabriel Miranda
Mike Diamond vs. Charlie Radtke
Viviane Araújo vs. Casey O'Neill