In a highly anticipated showdown, UFC 297 is set to take center stage as the newly crowned UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, defends his title against the formidable Dricus “Stillknocks” du Plessis. The event is scheduled to unfold on January 20, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash between these two dynamic fighters. As tensions rise and controversy brews, the co-main event featuring Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva adds another layer of excitement to the fight night.
Strickland’s Remarkable Journey:
Sean Strickland, after a Fighter of the Year-like 2023, aims to solidify his position as the middleweight champion. Having overcome a setback with two consecutive losses against Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier, Strickland rebounded with a spectacular 3-0 run, headlining multiple cards and captivating fans worldwide. UFC 293 witnessed the shocking dethroning of Israel Adesanya by Strickland, making him the true leading man at a UFC event for the first time.
Du Plessis’ Streak and Controversial Banter:
On the other side of the octagon, Dricus du Plessis enters UFC 297 on an impressive eight-fight win streak, with his last victory coming in the form of a TKO against former champion Robert Whittaker. Du Plessis, known for his aggressive fighting style, stoked the flames of controversy by delving into Strickland’s personal history with his father. The verbal jabs reached a boiling point at UFC 296, where Strickland physically confronted du Plessis after the South African’s comments.
Pre-Fight Drama:
Despite the heated exchange and Strickland’s attack on du Plessis in the crowd, the South African fighter remains unapologetic. On the “Coach & The Casual” show via Sports Illustrated, du Plessis expressed his perspective on the incident, stating that it’s all part of the fight game. He acknowledges Strickland’s response as that of a real man who stood up for himself, emphasizing the nature of fighters as warriors with fighting in their DNA.
Co-Main Event: Pennington vs. Bueno Silva for the Bantamweight Title:
Adding to the excitement, the co-main event features a clash for the vacant UFC bantamweight title between Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva. Pennington, riding a five-fight win streak, squares off against Silva, who recently had a victory overturned due to a positive test for ADHD medication. The stakes are high as these bantamweight contenders vie for championship glory.
UFC 297 Event Global Start Times:
| Region | Date | Early Prelims Start Time | Prelims Start Time | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, Jan 20 | 6 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. ET | 12:15 a.m. ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, Jan 20 | 3 p.m. PT | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. PT | 9:15 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Sunday, Jan 21 | 11 p.m. GMT | 1 a.m. GMT | 3 a.m. GMT | 5:15 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sunday, Jan 21 | 10 a.m. AEDT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 2 p.m. AEDT | 4:15 p.m. AEDT |
| Brazil | Sunday, Jan 21 | 9 p.m. BRT | 11 p.m. BRT | 1 a.m. BRT | 3:15 a.m. BRT |
| Japan | Monday, Jan 22 | 8 a.m. JST | 10 a.m. JST | 12 p.m. JST | 2:15 p.m. JST |
| South Africa | Sunday, Jan 21 | 1 a.m. SAST | 3 a.m. SAST | 5 a.m. SAST | 7:15 a.m. SAST |
| Russia | Sunday, Jan 21 | 2 a.m. MSK | 4 a.m. MSK | 6 a.m. MSK | 8:15 a.m. MSK |
| Mexico | Sunday, Jan 21 | 5 p.m. CST | 7 p.m. CST | 9 p.m. CST | 11:15 p.m. CST |
| Germany | Sunday, Jan 21 | 12 a.m. CET | 2 a.m. CET | 4 a.m. CET | 6:15 a.m. CET |
| France | Sunday, Jan 21 | 12 a.m. CET | 2 a.m. CET | 4 a.m. CET | 6:15 a.m. CET |
| China | Sunday, Jan 21 | 7 a.m. CST | 9 a.m. CST | 11 a.m. CST | 1:15 p.m. CST |
| India | Sunday, Jan 21 | 4:30 a.m. IST | 6:30 a.m. IST | 8:30 a.m. IST | 10:45 a.m. IST |
| South Korea | Sunday, Jan 21 | 8 a.m. KST | 10 a.m. KST | 12 p.m. KST | 2:15 p.m. KST |
Conclusion:
As the anticipation builds, UFC 297 promises an unforgettable night of thrilling matchups, intense rivalries, and, most importantly, the clash for the middleweight title between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. The co-main event adds another layer of excitement, ensuring that fight fans worldwide will be glued to their screens to witness the drama unfold in the octagon.
