2023 was an exciting year for the UFC. But 2024 seems to be even better, and it starts off with UFC 297. UFC CEO Dana White is ready to deliver what the fans want, as he is ready with the first PPV of the year!

At the maiden PPV of 2024, we will not only witness thrilling title fights but also a possible end to one of the UFC’s most controversial rivalries of recent times. Here is everything we know about the UFC 297 PPV.

UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis background

Back in November, UFC CEO Dana White made a huge announcement about the first three PPVs of 2024. A part of that announcement was the main event of UFC 297. It featured UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. In his first title defense, Strickland was pitted against the #2 ranked Dricus Du Plessis.

https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1721613706738499782

As time has passed by, several other fights for the UFC 297 PPV have been announced. It features one more title fight, and other famous fighters like Neil Magny, Arnold Allen, Chris Curtis, and more. Here is the full card of the UFC 297 event.

UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis full card

As of now, there are 5 main event fights and 7 undercard fights at UFC 297. The main card features two title fights - one in the men’s middleweight division and one in the women’s bantamweight division.

Main Card

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

Preliminary Card

Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield
Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson
Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras

Early Preliminary Card

Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira
Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick

Co-main event of UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis - Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

The UFC women’s bantamweight title is vacant for now. It was last helmed by the UFC veteran Amanda Nunes. After her retirement at UFC 289, the throne of the UFC women’s bantamweight division remained without an heir.

But not for long, as two top-ranked fighters face each other at UFC 297 for the title! In the co-main event of UFC 297, #2 ranked Raquel Pennington will face the #3 ranked Mayra Bueno Silva. The winner will become the 7th women’s bantamweight champion in the UFC.

Main event of UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis

The main event of the night features a thrilling contest between champion Sean Strickland and #2 ranked Dricus Du Plessis. Shortly after this fight was announced, trash talk began from both ends. However, things got pretty intense when the two opponents exchanged bold words at a UFC press conference a few weeks ago.

But the most unexpected episode in this rivalry took place at UFC 296. As the last PPV of 2023 took place, ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Stillknocks’ sat close to each other in attendance. During one of the main card fights, the two MMA fighters engaged in a brawl that required urgent attention from security and UFC CEO Dana White.

Read More - Israel Adesanya Refuses to Accept It Was His Blunder Against Sean Strickland That Cost Him the Middleweight Title

Soon, Strickland left the building after he was separated from his rival. Things have taken an uglier route since, as the two fighters have said many controversial things about each other’s personal lives. Fans can’t wait for this heated rivalry to be settled at UFC 297!

UFC 297: Strickland vs Du Plessis fighters’ record, stats, previous fight

Some of UFC’s most entertaining fighters are stepping into the octagon in this PPV. Here is important information about the main fighters of the night.

Sean Strickland
28 wins, 5 losses
3 fight win streak
11 KO/TKO wins, 4 submission wins
Previous fight - Decision victory against Israel Adesanya

Dricus Du Plessis
20 wins, 2 losses
8 fight win streak
9 KO/TKO wins, 10 submission wins
Previous fight - KO victory against Robert Whittaker

Raquel Pennington
15 wins, 8 losses
5 fight win streak
1 KO/TKO win, 4 submission wins
Previous fight - Decision victory against Ketlen Vieira

Mayra Bueno Silva
10 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 1 NC
3 fight win streak
1 KO/TKO win, 7 submission wins
Previous fight - Submission victory against Lina Länsberg

Neil Magny
28 wins, 11 losses
1 fight losing streak
7 KO/TKO wins, 4 submission wins
Previous fight - Decision loss against Ian Garry

Chris Curtis
30 wins, 10 losses, 1 NC
1 fight losing streak
15 KO/TKO wins, 4 submission wins
Previous fight - NC against Nassourdine Imavov

Arnold Allen
19 wins, 2 losses
1 fight losing streak
7 KO/TKO wins, 4 submission wins
Previous fight - Decision loss against Max Holloway

Location, venue, date, and time of UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis

UFC 297 will take place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 20, 2024. Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis, the main event of UFC 297, is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. (ET). The early prelims are set to begin at 6 p.m. (ET), while the prelims are anticipated to begin at 8 p.m. (ET).

Commentary team of UFC 297: Will Joe Rogan be there?

There is no official news regarding the commentary team of UFC 297. Further, there is no clear idea whether Joe Rogan will be there at the PPV or not. The popular UFC commentator does not prefer to fly for UFC PPVs far from the United States. However, since UFC 297 takes place in Ontario, Canada, which is relatively close to his home country, there are chances that he will attend the PPV. Moreover, the last time UFC went to Scotiabank Arena (UFC 231), Rogan was indeed at the commentary table.

Where to Watch? UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis tickets

Fans can watch UFC 297 on ESPN+ for $79.99. Tickets for the event are available at www.ticketmaster.ca. The prices range from $430 to $6,300.

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