The tension between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis reached its peak last month when the two fighters engaged in a brawl in the audience during a UFC event in Las Vegas. However, this Saturday at Scotiabank Arena, they will settle their differences inside the Octagon. Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, will defend his title against Du Plessis in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 297.
While their previous encounters have been marked with animosity, this week leading up to the fight has surprisingly been devoid of any drama. Mutual respect seems to have taken the place of bitter animosity, with both fighters acknowledging each other’s skills and dedication. The beef may have been squashed, but the upcoming fight promises to be an explosive and action-packed showdown.
According to ESPN’s rankings, Du Plessis holds the number two spot, while Strickland sits at number five in the middleweight division. Strickland, whose professional record stands at 28-5, shocked the world by defeating former champion Israel Adesanya in an impressive unanimous decision victory at UFC 293. The 32-year-old Californian has been on a winning streak, emerging victorious in nine out of his last eleven fights.
Du Plessis, on the other hand, boasts an eight-fight winning streak and a perfect 6-0 record in the UFC. The South African fighter delivered a spectacular TKO win over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Having previously held titles in both the EFC and KSW, the 30-year-old Du Plessis is determined to add the UFC middleweight championship to his list of accolades.
UFC 297 also features a co-main event where Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva will compete for the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title. With Amanda Nunes retiring last June and leaving the division without a champion, Pennington, a Colorado native with five consecutive wins, looks to claim the belt. Meanwhile, Bueno Silva, a Brazilian fighter with a recent victory over Holly Holm (later overturned due to a drug test), aims to prove herself as a worthy contender.
In addition to the main and co-main events, the UFC 297 card promises thrilling matchups. Canada’s own Mike Malott will face Neil Magny in a welterweight bout, while Arnold Allen takes on Movsar Evloev in a featherweight contender matchup. Furthermore, a clash between middleweights Chris Curtis and Marc-Andre Barriault adds to the excitement, as both fighters possess an aggressive and action-oriented fighting style.
UFC 297 is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of high-stakes clashes and intense rivalries. The Strickland vs. Du Plessis matchup, fueled by their previous altercations, promises to be the highlight of the evening. With both fighters ranked among the top middleweights in the world, the result of this bout may have significant implications for the division. MMA fans around the globe eagerly await the moment when these fierce rivals step into the Octagon, ready to unleash their skills and settle their score once and for all.
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