UFC 297 takes place on Sunday morning the 21st of January (South African time) at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The main event features South African talent, Dricus Du Plessis taking on Sean Strickland for the division title. We will look at this fight and 2 others on the card from a betting angle.
Click here to bet on the full fight card
SEAN STRICKLAND vs DRICUS DU PLESSIS
Middleweight Title Fight:
Sean Strickland is an American fighter who is well known for his clean striking, and with nearly 10 years of fighting in the UFC, he certainly doesn’t lack experience. He has fought 20 fights in the UFC, and he currently sits on a record of 15-5, with majority of his wins being by decision. His most recent fight was against Israel Adesanya, where Strickland (a big underdog with the bookmakers) rattled the ex-champ early on and won by decision, claiming the division title.
Strickland will prefer a stand-up fight as Du Plessis is better at grappling and I believe that based on Strickland’s record and style, he would want the fight to go to decision, where he would have his best shot at winning.
Dricus Du Plessis is a talented South African fighter who is well known for his effective striking and grappling on the canvas. Since entering the UFC, he has climbed through the ranks without a single loss, winning all 6 of his fights so far with 5 stoppages and only 1 fight going to decision. His most recent fight was a title eliminator against Robert Whittaker, where Du Plessis dominated his opponent and won by TKO in round 2 despite being an underdog with the bookies.
This win allows him a shot at the division title, although he enters as the slight underdog this weekend. He has already won the mental battle over Strickland at press conferences and of course, he will have the whole of South Africa cheering him on come Sunday morning.
BETTING – click here to bet
Strickland 9/10
Du Plessis 19/20*
PREDICTION:
I believe that Du Plessis will be awake Strickland trying to drag the fight out as much as possible and go for a decision win. I think that Dricus will get the fight to the ground and wear Sean out before landing some deadly blows, winning the fight by TKO in round 2.
RAQUEL PENNINGTON vs MAYRA BUENO SILVA
Women’s Bantamweight Title Fight:
Raquel Pennington is an American fighter who uses a freestyle fighting style, she currently sits on a 5-fight win streak and her most recent fight was against Ketlen Vieira, just over a year ago, where she won by split decision, meaning that she may be a bit rusty in the octagon due to lack of fighting time.
Despite this win, she will enter the bout as the dark horse in the betting markets and she will be looking for an upset win.
Mayra Bueno Silva is a Brazilian fighter who is well known for her grappling and stamina, she has won 3 of her last 4 fights with her most recent fight being a no contest against Holly Holm. Prior to this her most recent fight was in February last year, where she beat Lina Lansberg by submission.
She will enter the fight as the favourite in the betting markets and she will be expected to take the title this weekend.
BETTING – click here to bet
Pennington 14/10
Bueno Silva 6/10
PREDICTION:
I believe that Bueno Silva will take the fight to the canvas and grapple with Pennington, tiring her out, before claiming a round 2 submission win.
NEIL MAGNY vs MIKE MALOTT
Welterweight Fight:
Neil Magny is an American fighter who is known for his grappling skills and athletic ability. He has been on poor form as of late however, losing 3 of his last 5 fights. His last fight took place in August 2023, where he lost to Ian Garry by decision.
He will enter this fight as a heavy underdog on this occasion and after a decade in the UFC, he needs to turn his career around now before it is too late.
Mike Malott is a Canadian fighter who is known for his effective grappling and striking. Since entering the UFC in 2021, he has won all 4 of his fights, with 3 of these wins by submission. His most recent fight was in June last year, where he beat Adam Fugitt by submission in round 2.
Due to him being the younger and fresher fighter, he will enter the event as a comfortable favourite across the bookies markets.
BETTING – click here to bet
Magny 28/10
Malott 2/7
PREDICTION:
I believe that Malott will win by submission in round 1 over Magny, putting the alters UFC career in jeopardy.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Du Plessis vs Strickland
Du Plessis by KO/TKO at 9/4 (for a shorter price take Du Plessis to win at 19/20 and double up* should he win inside 2 rounds, punters looking for a bigger price can back Du Plessis to win in round 2 at 8/1)
*Double your Payout if Dricus wins within 2 Rounds
Place a win bet on Dricus du Plessis to beat Sean Strickland at UFC 297 and if Dricus wins before the end of Round 2, we will double your payout in Free Bets up to R2000!
**Applicable to Match Winner only. T’s & C’s apply.
Straight/Single Winner Bets only. Disqualifications do not apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other UFC promo
Refund/Payout limited to R2000. Free Bets do not qualify for this offer.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘UFC 297’
Pennington vs Bueno Silva
Bueno Silva by submission at 7/4 (for a bigger price consider Bueno Silva at 8/1 to win in round 2)
Magny vs Malott
Malott round 1 win at 37/20
All prices correct at time of writing but subject to change.
