UFC 297 on Saturday night features two titles bouts and a much anticipated fight between featherweight contenders. The first PPV of 2024 is a solid card that might not appeal to the casual fan, but it will provide a lot of insight about the middleweight division and perhaps shed some light on the depth of talent at featherweight.
UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Main card (Start time 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV; Key fights in bold, all odds via BetMGM)
• Middleweight championship: Sean Strickland (-135) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (+115)
Strickland (28-5) defends the title he shockingly took from Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September. Du Plessis (20-2) is also coming off a major upset, knocking out former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Strickland has elite boxing skills and a stellar jab, but it is Du Plessis who possesses fight-changing power. There are questions about Du Plessis’ gas tank, but his strength and power could end the fight before we get to that point.
• Women’s bantamweight championship: Raquel Pennington (+145) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (-175)
Pennington (15-8) and Bueno Silva (10-2-1) are facing off for the title vacated by Amanda Nunes, the greatest female fighter in MMA history. Pennington is on a five-fight winning streak and coming off a split-decision victory over Ketlen Vieira. Bueno Silva has won three straight with two ending inside the distance. Bueno Silva is the rightful favorite and has a strength advantage, but Pennington does have a path to victory by staying busy and point fighting.
• Welterweight: Neil Magny (+310) vs. Mike Malott (-400)
• Middleweight: Chris Curtis (-200) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (+165)
Featherweight: Movsar Evloev defeats Arnold Allen via decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims (Start time 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
• Bantamweight: Garrett Armfield defeats Brad Katona via decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Featherweight: Sean Woodson defeats Charles Jourdain via split decision (28-29 29-28 29-28)
• Bantamweight: Ramon Tavares defeats Serhiy Sidey via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Women’s strawweight: Gillian Robertson defeats Polyana Viana via TKO at 3:12 of Round 2
Early prelims (Start time 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
• Welterweight: Sam Patterson defeats Yohan Lainesse via rear-naked choke at 2:03 of the first round
• Women’s flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius defeats Priscila Cachoeira via D’arce choke at 4:21 of the third round
• Flyweight: Jimmy Flick defeats Malcolm Gordon via arm triangle at 1:17 of the second round
Live42 updates
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Two 30-27 scorecards for Curtis and one 29-28 for MAB.
Make it make sense. #UFC297
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) January 21, 2024
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Barriault finally trying to pour it on in the third #UFC297
— MMA Prediction Guru (@PredictionMma) January 21, 2024
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I’ve got it 19-19 after two. Despite what the booth says, Barriault had a totally fine round 2. Could be 20-18 either way if we’re really being honest. #UFC297
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 21, 2024
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Chris Curtis complained about not being on the main card of the PPV his last couple fights.
Not a good showing to get future main card spots. Horrible fight from both guys. #UFC297
— MMA Prediction Guru (@PredictionMma) January 21, 2024
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Barriault doing that backfoot poor-man Machida approach from his Anders fight that I walked about with that counter-balancing right hand off his right kick… #UFC297
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) January 21, 2024
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If Evloev is allowed to play the game (which they’re not supposed to be allowed), then Allen should be allowed to play it back by lifting them in response to said game playing
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) January 21, 2024
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Uh oh. Allen knees Evloev in the head and the fight is temp halted. It looked to me like Allen was lifting him when it was happening.
Replay shows at least one of the knees appeared to be illegal.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) January 21, 2024
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20-18 Evloev on my card. Could be 19-19, but no way Allen won round 2. Got hurt bad late in the round. #UFC297
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 21, 2024
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Mouse with a gash under Allen’s left eye. It’s one of those that could close quickly
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 21, 2024
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Allen picking his shots carefully to start round 2. Working the body to try and prevent the shot. #UFC297
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 21, 2024
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Evloev takes Allen down. They’re rolling on the floor like gymnasts!
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 21, 2024
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Scores: All three judges have it 29-28 for Armfield, who looks surprised! #UFC297
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 21, 2024
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Both Katona and Armfield looking to connect big in the pocket to start round 2. #UFC297
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 21, 2024
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Armfield got hit low and he’s in pain. Yikes. Like a punt right to the jewels
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 21, 2024
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Brad Katona walking out to “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley.
I haven’t heard that song in ages. What an absolute BANGER of a track. #UFC297
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) January 21, 2024
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Sean Woodson earns the split decision and improves to 5-1-1 in the UFC with four of those wins coming by decision.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 21, 2024
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29-28 Woodson on my scorecard. Once Jourdain started pressuring he did well, but too little too late IMO. #UFC297
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) January 21, 2024