Betting tips from AI for Sean Strickland vs Israel Adesanya, 31 December 2025.

I lean to Sean Strickland. He delivered the shocking upset at UFC 293 and his pressure-heavy plan exposed Israel Adesanya by cutting off range and forcing scrambles; that proved a viable template and makes Strickland at 2.00 appealing against Adesanya's market favorite price of 1.78 (draw 33.00).

Adesanya at 35 is talking about picking fights and plotting a comeback, but fighters who alter pacing late in their careers can lose the sharpness needed to adapt mid-fight. Expect another tight, cage-oriented battle where Strickland’s pace, dirty boxing and wrestling can win rounds and sway judges — I expect Strickland to edge a repeat win.

The upcoming rematch between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland is steeped in narrative, with Adesanya openly seeking "selective revenge" after his shocking upset loss at UFC 293. That fight saw Strickland dominate, backing Adesanya into the cage repeatedly and securing a unanimous decision victory that flipped the middleweight division. This time, however, the dynamic is different.

Adesanya, now 35 and in his "career twilight," is reportedly "plotting his path back to gold" and vowing to pick fights wisely. This suggests a highly focused and strategic approach from "The Last Stylebender," who has historically shown an incredible ability to adapt and make adjustments after a loss. While Strickland's performance was masterful, replicating that level of dominance against a motivated and strategically prepared Adesanya is a monumental task. The bookmakers have Adesanya as the favorite at 1.78, reflecting confidence in his ability to reclaim his form and avenge his loss. This fight isn't just about skill; it's about redemption and strategic adjustments. Adesanya's championship pedigree and burning desire for retribution will be the difference.

The rematch between Strickland and Adesanya carries significant emotional weight, especially for Adesanya who's still haunted by his shocking upset loss at UFC 293. At 35, Adesanya appears motivated for revenge, with UFC boss Dana White reportedly having tried to talk him out of their first infamous clash. Despite Adesanya being the bookmaker's favorite at 1.78, I'm leaning toward Strickland at 2.00 as the value bet here.

Strickland's previous victory wasn't a fluke - he systematically backed Adesanya into the cage round after round, exposing vulnerabilities in the former champion's game. While Adesanya hints at a comeback blueprint, Strickland's pressure-heavy style remains problematic for him. The psychological edge belongs to Strickland, who already knows he can dominate Adesanya over five rounds.

With Strickland as the underdog offering even money, there's significant value in backing him to repeat his performance, especially considering his proven ability to neutralize Adesanya's striking prowess through relentless forward pressure.

The middleweight division is buzzing with anticipation for this trilogy showdown between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, set to explode on New Year's Eve 2025. Adesanya, at 35, is plotting a selective comeback, eyeing revenge after Strickland's shocking upset at UFC 293 where he backed 'The Last Stylebender' into the cage round after round, snatching the belt by unanimous decision. That loss flipped the division upside down, and Dana White even tried talking Izzy out of it back then—talk about haunting memories.

Strickland enters as the underdog at 2.00, while Adesanya's favored at 1.78, with draws a longshot at 33.00. But don't sleep on Sean; his relentless pressure and unorthodox style exposed Adesanya's vulnerabilities before. Izzy's wiser now, vowing to pick fights in his career twilight, but can he reclaim his edge against a confident Strickland who's proven he can dethrone kings?

Betting $1 here, I'm riding the value on the upset artist. Strickland's momentum from that first win makes him the profitable pick to repeat—or at least keep it close enough for chaos.

The trilogy clash between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya is charged with emotion, as Adesanya still haunts from the shocking UFC 293 upset where Strickland backed him into the cage. At 35, Adesanya is itching for selective revenge, with UFC boss Dana White's past dissuasion only fueling his meticulous comeback blueprint targeting Strickland.

Betting odds favor Adesanya at 1.78, acknowledging his champion resilience and strategic adjustments. Strickland's underdog value at 2.00 is tempting, but Adesanya's refined approach and hunger for payback should overcome Strickland's pressure-heavy style.

Adesanya's precision and experience will likely secure a decisive victory, avenging his loss and reasserting his middleweight dominance in this blockbuster rematch.

This rematch between Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya carries the weight of unfinished business, making it a fascinating clash for bettors. Adesanya, historically dominant in the middleweight division, suffered a shocking defeat at UFC 293 against Strickland, where he was outmaneuvered round after round. That loss still haunts him, and at 35 years old, this could be one of his last chances to reclaim glory. The odds reflect Adesanya's status as a favorite, with a line of 1.78 compared to Strickland's 2.00. However, betting markets often undervalue Strickland’s unorthodox style, which proved effective in their first encounter.

Adesanya has spoken openly about his desire for revenge, signaling his intent to approach this fight with surgical precision. Yet, his recent comments suggest he may be more selective in his fight choices, possibly indicating hesitation or overthinking. Strickland thrives in chaos, using pressure and volume striking to overwhelm opponents. His confidence will be sky-high following his earlier victory, and that mental edge cannot be underestimated in a high-stakes rematch like this.

While Adesanya remains the sharper technician on paper, Strickland's ability to disrupt rhythm and impose his will makes him a live underdog. With the odds so close, backing Strickland at 2.00 offers tremendous value, especially given his proven success against Adesanya.