MMA Preview – Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297
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SEAN STRICKLAND VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS FACTS
When is UFC 297? Sunday 21st January, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 297? Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 297? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 297
What channel is UFC 297 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 297? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SEAN STRICKLAND VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS LOWDOWN
Sean Strickland (28-5) makes the first defence of his middleweight strap after putting on the best performance of his career. He out struck the best striker in the division Israel Adesanya, snatching the belt. It was his second ‘Performance of the Night’ in a row after knocking out another dangerous striker in Abus Magomedov only two months prior in July. At the start of the year, he pulled off an upset by outpointing Nassourdine Imavov which made it a perfect year for the bad boy.
Dricus du Plessis (20-2) has also somewhat surprisingly risen to the top of the middleweight pile. He is riding an eight-fight win streak and keeps proving people wrong by putting contenders away. After submitting Darren Till (2022) at UFC 282, he went on to knock out Derek Brunson (2023) at UFC 285 and then most impressively, the former champion Robert Whittaker (2023) at UFC 290.
SEAN STRICKLAND VS DRICUS DU PLESSIS PREDICTION
These two are serving up some very welcome beef to the Scotiabank Arena. After scrapping in the crowd at UFC 296 and a heated press conference, these two cannot wait to lay hands on each other.
Not many people would have predicted this title fight would materialize last year but is promises to but a war. They can both grapple, but du Plessis has ferocious knockout power and after his display against Adesanya, Strickland will have the confidence of out striking anyone in the division.
Technically, these two are far from the best in the division, but their styles are extremely effective. Du Plessis is awkward and will look to overwhelm Strickland with his power. He will throw from unorthodox angles and try and catch the chin as Strickland walks into the pocket.
Strickland does not possess the same knockout power, but he will back his defence to walk into range and pour on a suffocating volume. Their aggression should create dynamite in the middle of the octagon.
We expect du Plessis to start quicker while Strickland patiently gathers the data he needs to start controlling the range and timing later in the fight. The South African has never gone five rounds and he will need to pace himself. Strickland on the other hand is made for five rounds and the longer this goes on, the more you have to back him.
Du Plessis is raw and has the explosiveness to hurt Strickland early. However, The champ’s experience and style will allow him to get better with each round. We feel he has the defence to weather the early storm and then capitalize on a fatiguing slugger, picking him apart with his volume.
Prediction: Strickland via KO/TKO
Value bet: Du Plessis via KO/TKO
