Israel Adesanya, will face U.S. title challenger Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 on Sunday.

'Izzy' defended his bantamweight belt five times before losing it to Alex Pereira in November 2022, but in their rematch last April, he regained it.

The fight at Sydney Olympic Park's Qudos Bank Arena will give the bantamweight champion a chance to add a submission, or tap-out, to his repertoire of fight results.

The Nigerian-born New Zealander's 26 professional mixed martial arts fights include 16 wins by knockout and eight by decision (along with two defeats), but none by submission.

"What do I want in my career? Submission, I definitely want a submission," Adesanya told the media this week. "It could be this fight. I know he's going to fight. I'd be foolish if he didn't. I know he's going to try to mix it up. He's doing this whole 'man dance, man dance' thing."

It is the first time since 2017 that a UFC fight has taken place in Australia's biggest city and the second UFC bill in Australia this year.

Ahead of the title fight, which is scheduled to coincide with Saturday night on the lucrative PPV television market in North America, Strickland, 32, with a 27-5 record, said he is happy to box Adesanya.

The No. 5-ranked American fighter has been victorious in seven of nine fights since 2020 earning his first title fight appearance.

Adesanya and Strickland don't like each other very much; the two have exchanged criticizm in the past. At UFC 276 in Paradise, Nevada in 2022, they were within shouting distance of each other, which started what has become a healthy rivalry.

If 'Izzy' wins on Sunday, there are some doubts about who he will fight next.

The 34-year-old fighter was set to face Dricus du Plessis after he beat Robert Whittaker in a No. 1 contender's fight, but the South African turned down the UFC 293 fight, citing more recovery time needed and allowing Strickland to be called upon to win the title.

Adesanya criticised Du Plessis for not taking the opportunity to fight for the title: "He (du Plessis) doesn't call the shots, I do."

Adesanya or Strickland: Who has a better chance of winning?

The Last Stylebender comes in as the heavy favourite to take the win at UFC 293 against the American. At odds of -650, the reigning champion is listed at -650, while Strickland is priced at +450, CBS Sports reports.

If the odds come true, Adesanya would earn his second reign as dominant bantamweight champion against the controversial 'Tarzan'.