UFC 297: Everything You Need – Fight Card, Big Stories, Timings, and Results

 UFC 297: Everything You Need – Fight Card, Big Stories, Timings, and Results

Hey fight fans, get ready for a wild ride as UFC 297 is set to shake things up on Saturday night. We've got two title bouts and a showdown between featherweight contenders that's got everyone buzzing. This is the first PPV of 2024, and let me tell you, it's packing a punch that might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Let's dive into the main attractions at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Hold onto your hats, folks! Strickland is defending the title he snagged from Israel Adesanya in a jaw-dropper at UFC 293. Meanwhile, Du Plessis is still riding high from his upset victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Strickland's got some slick boxing and a killer jab, but Du Plessis packs a serious punch. People are wondering about Du Plessis' endurance, but if he unleashes his strength and power, this fight might not even go the distance.

Women's Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

In the battle for the vacated title left by the legendary Amanda Nunes, Pennington and Bueno Silva are ready to throw down. Pennington's riding a hot five-fight winning streak, including a close call against Ketlen Vieira. Bueno Silva's the favorite, with her strength shining through, but Pennington could sneak in a win with some smart and strategic fighting.

Other Notable Fights:

Welterweight: Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott

Middleweight: Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

And now, the people's main event!

Featherweight Showdown: Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev

This one's got fans on the edge of their seats. Britain's Allen had a good run, taking down some big names until he faced Max Holloway and hit a roadblock. Now, he's looking to bounce back against the undefeated Evloev, who's been racking up decision wins like it's nobody's business. It's a clash of styles, with Allen's striking skills going head-to-head with Evloev's grappling expertise. Get ready for a classic matchup, folks!

So, clear your Saturday night schedule, grab some snacks, and settle in for UFC 297. It's gonna be a wild ride, and you won't want to miss a minute of the action!

Prelims (Start time 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+):

• Bantamweight: Garrett Armfield secures the win over Brad Katona, sealing the deal with a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). It was a tight match, but Armfield came out on top.

• Featherweight: Sean Woodson and Charles Jourdain went toe-to-toe, delivering a nail-biter. Woodson emerged victorious, clinching a split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) in a close contest.

• Bantamweight: In another closely contested battle, Ramon Tavares took the win against Serhiy Sidey with a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The judges had their work cut out for them in this one.

• Women's Strawweight: Gillian Robertson made a statement in the octagon, defeating Polyana Viana via TKO at 3:12 of Round 2. Robertson showcased her skills and secured a well-deserved victory.

Early Prelims (Start time 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+):

• Welterweight: Sam Patterson wasted no time, securing a victory over Yohan Lainesse with a rear-naked choke at 2:03 of the first round. A quick and decisive finish for Patterson.

• Women's Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius faced off against Priscila Cachoeira, ultimately winning with a D'arce choke at 4:21 of the third round. Jasudavicius showed her grappling prowess in this one.

• Flyweight: Jimmy Flick put on a grappling clinic, defeating Malcolm Gordon via arm triangle at 1:17 of the second round. Flick showcased his submission skills in a dominant performance.