Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis headline the first pay-per-view UFC 297 event of 2024 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena in Canada on January 21st. The co-main event features Raquel Pennington squaring off against Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant women’s bantamweight title. In the Welterweight category, Neil Magny is set to face Mike Malott, while Arnold Allen is slated to go head-to-head against Movsar Evloev in the featherweight division. This preview provides a preview of the main card, coupled with the best betting tips and high odds designed to help you make informed bet predictions.
**Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)** Arnold Allen, ranked No. 6 in the featherweight division, boasts a professional record of 19-2 (10-1 UFC). His impressive victories include notable names such as Calvin Kattar, Sodiq Yusuff, and Dan Hooker. Allen recently suffered his first UFC defeat when he lost to the division’s No. 1 ranked fighter, Max Holloway. Despite putting up a good fight against Holloway, the 29-year-old fell short on the scorecards, with most of the damage done in rounds 1, 3, and 4. Undeterred by this setback, the English fighter is now focused on bouncing back from his defeat as he goes into his next fight against the division’s 9th-ranked Movsar Evloev. Mosvar boasts of an unblemished professional record of 17-0 (7-0 UFC) securing notable wins against Diego Lopes, Dan Ige, and Hakeem Dawodu. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a dominant start to his UFC career, winning his first six bouts, all via decision. In his last match, he faced short-notice replacement Diego Lopes. His performance earned him a Fight of The Night award in a thrilling contest against the debuting Brazilian. Mosvar showcased his proficient striking and resilience to overcome deep submission attempts. However, the fight between Allen and Mosvar is a clash of styles. Allen is a southpaw who relies on his close range striking with a 40% accuracy, and a 76% takedown defence. He’s not been taken down since 2018, defending 15 takedowns in that period. Mosvar on the other hand, is an orthodox fighter and a takedown master; he is a great wrestler who likes to fight on the ground. He averages 4.71 takedowns per fight and has a total of 33 takedowns in his last seven UFC fights. He’s got a slightly better striking accuracy than his opponent, at 41%. While Allen is very good at defending takedowns, he’s yet to face an opponent as good as Mosvar in takedowns. Therefore, our professional betting tips are in favour of a Mosvar win.
**Neil Magny vs Mike Malott (Welterweight)** Niel Magny is a seasoned orthodox fighter in the UFC who boasts the record for the most bouts (31) in the welterweight division. Recognized for his toughness, skills, and experience, the 36-year-old excels in striking, displaying an impressive 46% accuracy, landing 2.4 strikes per minute, and maintaining a solid defensive ratio of 53%. With a takedown average of 2.22 and a 55% takedown defence, Magny is a formidable contender who boasts a well-rounded skillset. Despite his strengths, the Haitian fighter enters this match with a record of 21 wins and 10 losses, having faced formidable opponents like Gilbert Burns, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Garry in his last three defeats. Heading into the showdown with Mike Malott, Magny has alternated between three wins and three losses in his last six fights. On the other hand, Mike is also a well-rounded fighter with a fluid striking style that allows him to navigate kickboxing comfortably. The 32-year-old has participated in only three UFC bouts and has never gone beyond the second round, securing two of his victories in the first round. Mike doesn’t have a specific fighting background, but he possesses wrestling skills and showcases commendable grappling accuracy, boasting a takedown ratio of 55%. With a striking rate of 4.21 per minute and an accuracy of 55%, he also maintains a robust defence ratio of 56%. Notably, he made a significant impact by defeating Robbie Lawler, but his recent performances have displayed a noticeable decrease in speed, likely influenced by the effects of aging. His victories against Daniel Rodriguez and Phil Rowe were not as convincing, making his upcoming bout against Neil a challenging one. Despite this, BetKing’s best odds favour a Mike Malott win.
**Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva (Women’s Bantamweight)** Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva vie for the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight championship, a title relinquished by Amanda Nunes sometime after her successful title defence against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. Despite Pennington’s previous loss to Nunes in 2018, her resilient journey comprises an impressive five-fight win streak, showcasing her as a seasoned contender in the bantamweight division. Pennington’s striking prowess is evident in her record-breaking statistics, holding the bantamweight record for most strikes landed (1,310) and a remarkable 50.4% accuracy in significant strikes. On the other side is submission specialist Bueno Silva, who boasts an unbeaten streak in her last four fights and stands out with quick finishes, including an overturned submission win against Holm. The bout is marked by its unpredictability, with both fighters closely matched statistically in striking accuracy and defensive skills. Scheduled for five rounds, the clash poses strategic considerations, given Pennington’s history of decisions against Bueno Silva’s penchant for early finishes. Bueno Silva is aggressive. Pennington will likely need to weather an early storm from the Brazilian and wear her down before picking up the pace in the later rounds, for which she might not get the chance. A knockout isn’t expected, which means if it goes the distance, Bueno Silva’s strong start might sweep the points in her favour. Our expert bet prediction is on a Bueno Silva win.
**Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis (Middleweight)** The highly anticipated UFC 297 middleweight title clash between reigning champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus Du Plessis is set to take centre stage on January 21 in Toronto, Canada. The fight has taken a personal turn with recent heated exchanges, including a physical confrontation at UFC 296, adding an extra layer of animosity to the bout. This matchup presents an intriguing clash of styles between two newcomers to the UFC championship scene, promising a compelling headlining fight. Strickland, the champion, enters the ring with a solid record, including three consecutive wins and notable victories over accomplished fighters. As for Du Plessis, the undefeated challenger, he boasts an impressive record of 20-2, featuring a mix of knockouts and submission wins. With an eight-fight win streak and recent victories over notable opponents, Du Plessis earned his shot at the title. Both fighters exhibit strong grappling skills, with Strickland known for exceptional takedown defence and defensive striking. Strickland’s relentless cardio and forward-pushing style create a unique challenge for opponents. Du Plessis, a powerful striker and skilled wrestler, aims to capitalize on his advantage in power and diversity in attack. The fight’s outcome is uncertain, given the contrasting styles and approaches of the two fighters. Strickland’s preference for stand-up exchanges might be a risky strategy against Du Plessis, who is known for adapting and seizing opportunities. The clash promises an exciting contest, with Du Plessis’ well-rounded skills and willingness to win by any means puts him ahead as favourite. Our best betting offers favours a Du Plessis win which means we expect a new champion being crowned at UFC 297.