The stage is set for UFC 297 this Sunday in Toronto, where UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland will defend his title for the first time against the number two ranked Middleweight in the world, Dricus Du Plessis.
While their altercation at UFC 296 might not have been a great look for the UFC and the athletic commission, it does hype this fight up even more than anticipated.
The vacant UFC women’s Bantamweight title will be on the line as Raquel Pennington will take on Mayra Bueno Silva in what will determine who will be the queen of the Bantamweight division.
Neil Magny is back in the octagon for the first time since his unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry, however, his challenge in front of him is the 10-1 Canadian Mike Malott.
Can Magny cause an upset against Malott?
Will Silva continue her momentum and claim the vacant title?
Does Du Plessis have the ability to stop the Strickland train before it takes off?
My thoughts on UFC 297 tips and preview can be found below.
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis – Middleweight Title Bout
Tip: Du Plessis via KO/TKO
Two outspoken stars go toe-to-toe as Sean Strickland begins his UFC Middleweight title reign against Dricus Du Plessis.
The South African-born is yet to be beaten in the UFC, and with five finishes to his name in his first six fights with the promotion, he won’t be going down with a fight come Sunday.
For the reigning, defending champion, he had a clinical performance against Adesanya including an early knockdown at the back end of the first round.
Strickland is the defending champion, but the markets are listing him as the favourite, but I’m not buying it.
Du Plessis has fought more respectable and notable names including Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Australia’s own Robert Whittaker, and gave them all a touch-up.
Yes, Strickland beat Adesanya and Uriah Hall, but besides that, the rest of them have been unranked, mid-tier fighters.
When Strickland fought challenging opponents like Alex Pereira, Kamaru Usman and Jarrod Cannonier, he was subpar and underperformed.
I’ll be taking Du Plessis to take this one out via Knockout.
Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva – Vacant Women’s Bantamweight Title
Tip: Silva Via Submission
The greatest title holder of all time, Vacant, will lose relinquish the belt this Sunday as Raquel Pennington steps into the cage for the first time in over a year to fight the Brazilian Mayra Bueno Silva.
Silva has been a submission specialist throughout her career – including winning her last three fights all by submission.
A textbook wrestling match is expected and if that’s the case, Silva via submission provides the best value in this matchup.
Neil Magny vs Mike Malott
Tip: Malott via knockout or decision
Number 13 ranked Neil Magny graces us with his presence once again and this time it will be against the Canadian superstar with a 10-1-1 record, “Proper” Mike Malott.
Since making his UFC debut in April 2022, Malott has finished every opponent with one knockout and two submissions to his resume.
Magny has an admirable record of 28 wins, 12 defeats and 7 wins coming by way of knockout.
Not to mention The Haitian Sensation’s four submissions, he’s ready to take on Malott.
Malott has the knockout and wrestling ability that Magny has never faced before and for that reason, I’ll be taking the value of Malott to win via knockout or decision to secure a spot in the top 15
