Excitement is building as the UFC gears up for its upcoming event, UFC 297, which is set to take place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Jan. 20. With a stacked fight card, this event promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fight fans in The Six.
Main Event Showdown: Strickland vs. Du Plessis
The main event of the evening features the UFC Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland, making his first title defence against the number two-ranked contender, Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland, coming off an impressive title win over Israel Adesanya, aims to solidify his reign as the middleweight king. Meanwhile, Du Plessis, riding high after a finish of former champion Robert Whittaker, is eager to snatch the title from Strickland’s grasp. It’s a battle between two skilled and determined fighters, promising an explosive showdown in the middleweight division.
Co-Main Event for the Vacant Women’s Bantamweight Title: Pennington vs. Bueno Silva
The co-main event showcases a clash for the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva. Ranked number two and three in the bantamweight division, these two fighters are set to deliver a high-stakes battle. With Amanda Nunes’ retirement leaving the title vacant, the winner of this bout will etch their name in the history books as the seventh champion in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
Featherweight Clash: Allen vs. Evloev
A highly intriguing matchup at 145 pounds features the number four-ranked Arnold Allen facing off against the number nine-ranked contender, Movsar Evloev. The victor of this featherweight bout will undoubtedly position themselves as a strong contender in the division throughout 2024.
Notable Rematch and Crossroads Contest
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is set to square off against Aleksandar Rakic in a rematch. Will Blachowicz go 2-0 in the series, or can Rakic even the score in The Six? Additionally, welterweight contenders Neil Magny and Mike Malott are poised for a rematch, promising a tantalizing clash that could have implications for the welterweight division.
Exciting Middleweight Matchup: Curtis vs. Barriault
Chris Curtis and Marc Andre Barriault will lock horns in an exciting middleweight matchup. ‘The Action Man’ aims to halt Barriault’s momentum, while ‘Powerbar’ looks to secure a victory for the Canadian audience.
Remaining Bouts on the UFC 297 Fight Card
The UFC 297 fight card also boasts a series of compelling matchups, including Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield, Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana, Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras, Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick, Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson, Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson, Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira, and Dominick Reyes vs. Carlos Ulberg.
As fight night approaches, anticipation grows for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of mixed martial arts action in Toronto. UFC 297 is poised to deliver on the high expectations set by its impressive fight card, making it a must-watch event for UFC fans and Canadians looking to get interested in the sport.
