Headlined by Dricus du Plessis challenging Sean Strickland for the UFC Middleweight Championship, the UFC 297 card showcases five great fights that include the likes of Raquel Pennington, Mike Malott and undefeated fighter Movsar Evloev.
UFC 297 Tips
Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis
Career Records:
Strickland – 28-5 (11 wins by KO/TKO)
Du Plessis – 20-2 (9 wins by KO/TKO)
Last Bouts:
Strickland def Adesanya – Decision (unanimous) – UFC 293, September 2023
du Plessis def Whittaker – TKO (punches) – UFC 290, July 2023
Analysis:
In a fight that is set to be nothing but explosive, Sean Strickland will defend the UFC middleweight title against South African Dricus du Plessis. A must-watch bout, the two will go at it following their little melee at the UFC 296 PPV, where they had to be escorted out of the arena by security.
The two enter the Octagon with different fighting styles. Strickland is easily the better boxer and is better with his hands, but Du Plessis will have the added advantage if he can take him down to the ground, having already won ten of his fight via submission – his fighting game shouldn’t be underestimated though as he won his last two bouts via TKO.
Israel Adesanya, a former UFC middleweight champion, believes that du Plessis will have the upper edge in the fight against Strickland and will walk away as the new champion. Adesanya complimented du Plessis’ fighting style and believes his opponent will have no answer to his wrestling and grappling game in the ring.
Best Now MATCH RESULT - DRICUS DU PLESSIS @ $2.04Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Career Records:
Pennington- 15-8 (1 win by KO/TKO)
Bueno Silva- 10-1-2 (1 NC) (1 win by KO/TKO)
Last Bouts:
Pennington def Vieira – Decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Imavov, January 2023
Bueno Silva vs Holm – No contest -UFC on ESPN: Holm vs Bueno Silva, July 2023
Analysis:
In the only female fight on the UFC 297 main card, Raquel Pennington will face off against Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in what is the co-main event of the evening alongside Strickland vs du Plessis as they look to become the new face of women’s MMA after the retirement of Amanda Nunes.
Both fighters will focus on their submission game, with the duo only winning one of their previous fights with a KO/TKO victory. While she isn’t the most flamboyant or exciting women’s fighter in the promotion, Pennington has been looking forward to this day ever since she was defeated for the title by Amanda Nunes six years ago. Entering in as the underdog, you can count on Pennington to deliver an upset and win that elusive title she has always wanted.
Best Now MATCH RESULT - RAQUEL PENNINGTON @ $2.41Neil Magny vs Mike Malott
Career Records:
Magny- 28-11 (7 wins by KO/TKO)
Malott- 10-1-1 (4 wins by KO/TKO)
Last Bouts:
Magny def by Machado Garry – Decision (unanimous) – UFC 292, August 2023
Malott def Fugitt – Submission – UFC 289, June 2023
Analysis:
Regarded as the next best Canadian mixed martial arts fighter, Mike Malott will take on Neil Magny as he looks to emerge victorious in his seventh consecutive fight. After featuring in Dana White’s Contender Series 42, Malott has produced easy victories over Mickey Gall, Yohan Lainesse and Adam Fugitt – the latter two saw him claim Performance of the Night.
A great finisher with six submissions and four KO/TKO victories, Malott has been extraordinary with his fists and will be eager to keep Magny on his feet and utilise his boxing game. At the moment, it is understood that he lands 4.21 significant strikes per minute.
Despite this, Magny will still be looking to put up a fight against his opposition and still has an above-average grappling game, meaning he could land an upset if the fight goes to the ground, but it is unlikely to end in his favour. Expect Malott to win and extend his record to 11-1-1.
Best Now MATCH RESULT - MIKE MALOTT @ $1.29Chris Curtis vs Marc-Andre Barriault
Career Records:
Curtis- 30-10 (1NC) (17 wins by KO/TKO)
Barriault- 16-6 (1NC) (10 wins by KO/TKO)
Last Bouts:
Curtis vs Imavov – No Contest – UFC 289, June 2023
Barriault def Anders – Decision (unanimous) – UFC 289, June 2023
Analysis:
In another middleweight showdown on the UFC 297 card, Chris Curtis (30-10) and Marc-Andre Barriault (16-6) will finally collide after weeks of going at each other in post-match interviews and via social media.
After bouncing around in different MMA promotions throughout his career, Curtis has been with the UFC since 2021 but has only managed to win one of his past four fights in the promotion. Most recently, he fought a no-contest with Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 289. However, despite this and being ranked #13 in the UFC rankings, Curtis is a solid fighter and will be looking at his toughness to get him through the fight. He will punch and strike harder than his opponent.
On the other hand, Barriault should not be counted out, having won his last two bouts and entering the clash filled with confidence. Though he may be slower, less accurate and not as strong with his punches as Curtis, he could cause an upset, but that is unlikely.
Best Now MATCH RESULT - CHRIS CURTIS @ $1.53Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloev
Career Records:
Allen- 19-2 (7 wins by KO/TKO)
Evloev- 17-0 (3 wins by KO/TKO)
Last Bouts:
Allen def by Holloway – Decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs Allen, April 2023
Evolev def Lopes – Decision (unanimous) – UFC 288, May 2023
Analysis:
The undefeated Movsar Evloev will take on Arnold Allen on the UFC 297 card as he attempts to extend his winning streak to 18 consecutive fights. However, his opponent has 19 wins to his name and only two losses – seven of those victories coming by KO/TKO.
Both are extremely great strikers, but the thing that makes Evloev stand out from Allen is the way he excels on the mat with his wrestling skill and ability to go the distance with his cardio and endurance. This will likely see Evloev (#9 in the UFC featherweight rankings) get the win over Allen (#4 in the UFC featherweight rankings), but a great bout is expected and may go either way.
Best Now MATCH RESULT - MOVSAR EVLOEV @ $1.80