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Du Plessis vs. Strickland: A Five-Round War Ends in Split Decision Drama
In a gripping main event at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Dricus Du Plessis emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against Sean Strickland. The closely contested match concluded with a split decision, as two judges scored it 49-48 in favor of Du Plessis, while the third judge gave a similar score to Strickland.
Du Plessis showcased relentless pressure, wearing down Strickland throughout the five-round war. Both fighters endured significant damage, with Strickland sustaining a nasty gash near his left eye and Du Plessis fighting through swelling over his left eyelid. Despite the pre-fight animosity, the two fighters displayed respect in the Octagon and during the post-fight press conferences.
While Strickland expressed interest in a rematch, Du Plessis used his moment on the mic to call out former champion Israel Adesanya, setting the stage for a potentially lucrative and highly anticipated showdown.
Raquel Pennington Claims Title in Lackluster Championship Bout
In a forgettable championship fight, Raquel Pennington secured a unanimous decision victory over a listless Mayra Bueno Silva. The lackluster bout, mainly contested against the cage, left MMA enthusiasts disappointed. Pennington’s corner urged her to maintain distance and strike, but she repeatedly closed in on her fatigued opponent. Despite the lack of excitement, Pennington rightfully earned the judges’ decision.
MMA fans now await the return of Julianna Pena, Irene Aldana’s ascent, or Valentina Shevchenko’s potential move up to elevate the division’s competitiveness.
UFC 297 Results, Scorecards, Finishes, and Highlights
- Du Plessis def. Strickland: Split Decision (49-48×2, 48-49) – New Champion
- Pennington def. Bueno Silva: Unanimous Decision (49-46×2, 49-45) – New Champion
- Magny def. Malott: Third-Round TKO (Punches)
- Curtis def. Barriault: Split Decision (30-27×2, 28-29)
- Evloev def. Allen: Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
- Armfield def. Katona: Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
- Woodson def. Jourdain: Split Decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
- Taveras def. Sidey: Split Decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
- Jasudavicius def. Cachoeira: Third-Round Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Fight Night Bonuses and Attendance
Despite Neil Magny’s impressive comeback win, bonuses went to Du Plessis and Strickland for the Fight of the Night, Jasudavicius for dominating Cachoeira, and Robertson for her submission win over Viana. The gate reached $8 million USD, with 18,559 in attendance.
What’s Next For the UFC?
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 3, at the UFC Apex, as Roman Dolidze and Nassourdine Imavov engage in a thrilling battle between Top-10 middleweights. The excitement continues as the UFC charts its course into the next chapter of electrifying matchups.