Tonight in Toronto, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are set to collide for the UFC middleweight title, with the additional spectacle of the vacant women’s bantamweight belt up for grabs.
In a seismic upset last September, Strickland claimed the middleweight title with a stunning victory over Israel Adesanya. Now, the controversial American is poised to defend his newly acquired belt for the first time. On the other side, South Africa’s Du Plessis enters the main event with momentum from a surprising TKO win over former champion Robert Whittaker in July.
Adding an intriguing layer to the matchup, Strickland and Du Plessis have a history of facing each other, albeit outside the Octagon. Their brawl in the crowd at UFC 296 in December has fueled anticipation for what fans expect to be a gritty and intense contest this evening.
UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis
The much-anticipated fight will take place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
You can enjoy the UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis fight event from anywhere in the world for only a one-time payment of $19.99 without needing a VPN. Another good part is that there are no hidden or automatic charges either and live chat options. Checkout NextMirror to watch UFC 297 Anywhere.
How to Watch UFC 297 in United States?
UFC fans in the United States can watch the event through ESPN+ PPV ($10.99 per month, $109.99 per year). The PPV price for UFC 297 is $79.99 for current subscribers.
Note that the prelims and the main card will stream live on ESPN+ (subscription charges are mentioned above).
For new and monthly ESPN+ subscribers, the PPV package can be purchased for $134.98 and comes with an annual subscription to ESPN+ and access to the next UFC PPV event.
For the prelims, fans can also tune in to ESPN News (available via Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, Vidgo, AT&T TV, and YouTube TV).
The early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass as well ($9.99 per month or $95.99 per year.
How to Watch UFC 297 in Canada?
In Canada, the UFC PPV event will be available via TSN. You can log on to TSN if you get it as part of a cable deal. Otherwise, you can subscribe to the service on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 monthly (plus tax).
You can log on to TSN if you get it as part of a cable deal. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the service on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 monthly (plus tax).
For pay-per-view events, you can choose from several PPC providers, such as SaskTel, Shaw, Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, or Eastlink, with charges set at around $64.99.
You can also enjoy the event through UFC Fight Pass ($9.99 per month or $95.99 per year).
Watch UFC 297 in United Kingdom?
In the UK, the prelims and main card will stream live on TNT Sports Box Office. Monthly subscription charges vary and cost £19.99 to £29.99 (contract-free) and do not charge a broadband connection. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled and can be canceled at any time.
Watch Strickland vs. Du Plessis Fight in Europe?
France: RMC Sports 2
Poland: UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass, Polsat Sport
Spain: UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass, Eurosport
Germany, Italy: UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass, DAZN
Netherlands: Discovery+
Denmark, Norway, Sweden: Viaplay
Switzerland: UFC Fight Pass
UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis Fight Preview
Sean Strickland Bio and Record
- Nationality: American
- Date of birth: February 27, 1991
- Height: 6′ 1″
- Reach: 76″
- Total fights: 33
- Record: 28-5-0
Sean Strickland is 15-5 in the UFC since joining the promotion in 2014. He had his six-fight win streak snapped by Alex Pereira. After losing another fight against Jared Cannonier, the 32-year-old American went 3-0 in 2023, beating Nassourdine Imavov and Abusupiyan Magomedov before a dominant decision win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September to win the UFC middleweight title.
Dricus du Plessis Bio and Record
- Nationality: South African
- Date of birth: January 14, 1994
- Height: 6′ 1″
- Reach: 76″
- Total fights: 22
- Record: 20-2-0
A former kickboxing champion, du Plessis turned pro in 2013. The 30-year-old won welterweight and middleweight gold while with EFC and KSW.
Dricus du Plessis joined the UFC in 2020 and is 6-0 with the promotion, with his last fight being a TKO win against former champion Robert Whittaker in July.
Strickland vs. Du Plessis: What has been said?
Despite some heated words being exchanged recently, Strickland said he focuses on working out the challenge the South African opponent poses as quickly as possible.
“A lot of it is just can you figure him out because people go in there and they have a hard time figuring him out,”
So just how fast can I adapt to his weirdness? If I go in there and I f*****g see it all and I got it figured out, it’s gonna be a good fight. If I go in there and I can’t, it’s gonna be a war.”
Despite the bad blood leading up to the event, Strickland said it should be put behind them after the fight.
“He is always game, he comes out to fight,”
“So as a fighter, you can’t help but respect him.
“Win or lose, if you beat me I will be the first person to cheer you on. It is the fight game, I have no issue.
“How can you not respect somebody who gets in the Octagon and tries to fight you?”
American made controversial comments about how he would hurt South African opponent if he continued to trash, but Du Plessis shrugged off those words.
“I have a lot of respect for Sean, and I think he’s a good person but, you know, this is a fight game,”
“If I got under his skin, the mission succeeded.
“I don’t think he beats me with a knife anyways.
“But with that being said, yeah that’s a crazy threat to make, firstly for a world champion but whatever.
“It’s already been said, I didn’t need to say it again.
“It’s living rent free in his head.”
Talking about how he thinks the fight will go, Du Plessis said:
“I’m beating Sean within the first three rounds.
“There’s no way this fight goes to the championship rounds and I honestly think that I’m catching him with a big shot and not just one. I’m not knocking Sean cleanout.
“I honestly believe that taking three punches from me, it’s a completely different game than taking three punches from him. And I think I’m gonna break him down.
“I think he jabs me, sure he’s gonna catch me. I have no doubt in my mind that Sean catches me with punches and a lot of them, but I’m catching him too and he’s gonna feel that and that will make a difference.
“I’m calling it an early third round, maybe later in the second round.”
UFC 297 Main Card
- Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis (For Strickland’s UFC middleweight title)
- Raquel Penning vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (For the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title)
- Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott (Welterweight)
- Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
- Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)
UFC 297 Prelims
- Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield (Bantamweight)
- Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson (Featherweight)
- Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras (Bantamweight)
- Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana (Women’s strawweight)
UFC 297 Early Prelims
- Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson (Welterweight)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira (Women’s flyweight)
- Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick (Flyweight)