UFC 297 Preview & Betting Tips

<p>The first major fight card of 2024 is here! UFC 297 promises to be a true fighting fiesta, with a slew of top-drawer matchups set to take place on January 21 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.</p> <p>UFC 297 will be headlined by Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis as they scrap for a strap. Yes, the middleweight championship is on the line in the headline fight of UFC 297.</p> <p>That’s not all the action on offer however, there are numerous other mouthwatering matchups, spanning multiple weight classes and fighting styles.</p> <p>Most notably, Raquel Pennington will be fighting Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant women’s bantamweight title.</p> <p>For the latest betting tips, analysis and odds on that fight, the Strickland v du Plessis showdown and all the other big bouts on the UFC 297 card, check out our UFC 297 preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 4:15pm AEDT – Scotiabank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s start at the top. UFC 297 is set to be headline by this mammoth clash between current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and South African striker Dricus du Plessis.</p> <p>This will be Strickland’s first attempt at defending his belt after he took it from former champ Israel Adesanya, in September of last year by way of unanimous decision.</p> <p>Make no mistake, this matchup is guaranteed to produce fireworks. When you pair up Strickland’s ultra-technical boxing style with du Plessis’ somewhat awkward, barroom brawling style, anything could happen.</p> <p>The only thing that is certain is that neither fighter will be taking a backwards step in this one.</p> <p>Strickland’s corner will be hoping he can weaponize his superior cardio and run his opponent ragged in the latter stages of the fight.</p> <p>On the flipside, Dricus’ camp will be confident his more prevalent power can be the point of difference as he goes searching for an early KO.</p> <p>At the end of the day, Strickland is the champion for a reason. His performance during his victory over Israel Adesanya to claim the middleweight belt told us everything we needed to know about this modern megastar of the fight game.</p> <p>No doubt du Plessis will give him a hell of a knock, but ultimately we’re backing Sean to be the one who gets his hand raised, around the third or fourth round in this one.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Sean Strickland.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Victory by TKO in round 3.</p>

<h2>Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 3:45pm AEDT - Scotiabank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The co-main of UFC 297 sees Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva do battle for the vacant women’s bantamweight championship.</p> <p>This is a much-needed match up to spark this division back into life, after the legendary Amanda Nunes’ retirement.</p> <p>Her retirement has left this title up for grabs and who better to fight for it than Pennington and Silva.</p> <p>The in-form Pennington is on a five-fight win streak and is a no-brainer for this vacant title, whilst Silver is riding an impressive four-win streak of her own.</p> <p>This will be a classic striker versus grappler game of cat and mouse. Pennington will look to keep this on the feet &amp; utilise her striking, while Silva will be hunting submissions.</p> <p>Like all good title fights, the lead up to this one isn’t without a bit of drama, with controversy around Silva as her last victory over Holly Holm was overturned to a “no contest” due to a positive drug test.</p> <p>Make no mistake, Pennington is the one neutrals want to see win and we think they will get their wish, via decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Pennington via unanimous decision.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Pennington to win.</p>

<h2>Neil Magny vs Mike Malott Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 3:15pm AEDT - Scotiabank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Moving away from the two main fights of UFC 297, we have this intriguing matchup between Neil Magny and Mike Malott.</p> <p>Is this the fight Malott announces himself to the wider UFC community? He’s currently on a three-fight win streak and knocking off the far more experienced Magny will do wonders for his pedigree.</p> <p>Malott's ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and capitalise on opportunities, as well as utilise his superior striking will be key if he is to be victorious here.</p> <p>All that being said, Magny still remains a very viable threat due to his combination of experience, durability and a diverse skill set.</p> <p>This should be one hell of a war, but we’re backing youth to get the best of experience here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Malott via unanimous decision.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Malott to win.</p>

<h2>Chris Curtis vs Marc-Andre Barriault Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 2:45 AEDT - Scotiabank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two middle-of-the-pack middleweight stalwarts go at it when Chris Curtis and Marc-Andre Barriault tangle at UFC 297.</p> <p>They might not be out and out superstars, but make no mistake, there will be fireworks here.</p> <p>Barriault is riding a two-fight win streak, while Curtis is looking to bounce back from a loss. Barriault may be super durable, but Curtis has dynamite in his hands, and we think that dynamite will go bang in this one.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Curtis via TKO in round 3.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Curtis to win.</p>

<h2>Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloev Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, January 21, 2:15pm AEDT - Scotiabank Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final fight we shall be previewing from UFC 297 is this one between Arnold Allen and Movsar Evloev.</p> <p>This is a hot matchup between two of the top prospects at 145 pounds. Movsar Evloev is currently undefeated with a 17-0 record and Allen was riding a 10-fight win streak prior to his ultra-competitive loss to Max Holloway via decision.</p> <p>This fight will be won and lost on the canvas. Can Evloev control Allen on the ground? Or will Allen keep it on the feet and hand Evloev his first professional loss?</p> <p>With some uncertainty over Evloev's lack of finishing ability, we can see Allen going the distance and getting the nod from the judges after landing some more telling blows than his opposite number.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Allen via split decision.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Allen to win.</p>

<h2>UFC 297 Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Toronto, Canada.</p> <p><strong>Arena:</strong> Scotiabank Arena</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, January 21, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Start times: </strong>Early prelims – 10:30am AEDT. Preliminary card – 12:00pm AEDT. Main card – 2:00pm AEDT.</p>

<p><em>Not avaliable in SA.&nbsp;</em></p>