The UFC is back in full force this weekend and heading north to take the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion to Canada. Toronto will play host to UFC 297, which sees not one but two different titles go on the line this Saturday night. With Sean Strickland taking on Dricus Du Plessis in a much-anticipated main event, we look at all the latest Strickland vs Du Plessis odds in this betting preview.
It’s a fight that’s been destined to happen. Strickland put the UFC on notice when he picked apart middleweight champion Israel Adesanya last September, and Du Plessis has been beating everyone he steps into the Octagon with since joining the promotion in 2020. With plenty of history between these two, who will prevail? Read on for our UFC 297 Strickland vs Du Plessis predictions.
| ℹ️ Event: | UFC 297 Main Event, for Middleweight Championship title |
| 🏟️ Venue: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| 🗓️ Date: | 20 January, 2024 |
| ⏰ Time: | From 6:30 PM EST on Saturday |
There’s nothing better than a fight with bad blood. Just weeks ago, at the last numbered UFC event, things got ugly between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland reacted to Du Plessis’s smack talk, which apparently involved personal insults. The American launched himself through the crowd at Du Plessis, raining down punches on his soon-to-be opponent until security separated the two.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest outright betting odds in this title fight ahead of Saturday night’s clash from the best bookies for MMA:
Most major bookmakers have the Strickland vs Du Plessis odds very tight. The American is a slight favorite, paying 1.73 (8/11) for a win in Toronto, while Du Plessis is just behind at 2.10 (11/11). Both men are favored to win by knockout as their primary method of victory, with Strickland at 2.75 (7/4) and Du Plessis similarly paying 3.40 (12/5). A decision for the champion is also a reasonable option at 4.00 (3/1), while the South African’s next best is a submission at 6.00 (5/1). Better follow bookies that don`t close accounts.
The current UFC Middleweight Champion is on a three-fight winning streak. Strickland picked up three victories in 2023, with the most recent being a mightily impressive unanimous decision win over Adesanya. Before this, however, he had lost two in a row, going down to Jared Connonier in a tough split decision and getting knocked out by Alex Pereira.
Strickland is one of the most elusive and consistent strikers in the promotion. He’s also got a tremendous takedown defense, which puts betting lines in his favor. The way he is able to frustrate and tire out opponents was hugely evident against Adesanya and gives him a definite edge over Du Plessis in the stand-up game.
Du Plessis has a perfect record in the UFC so far, winning six from six. His last two wins have been the most impressive by far, taking down the big names of Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker. Both of these victories were stoppages as well, overwhelming Whittaker with punches in the second round and gaining a corner stoppage against Brunson.
The South African has a very unorthodox striking game that can catch opponents off guard. Whether or not this can negate Strickland’s elusivity is another question, but it may pose some problems. Outside of this, the 30-year-old is destructive on the ground, with a very good choke if he needs to switch to that.
We’ve looked at all the highest UFC odds, and now it’s time to get betting to make some money. Here are our top Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis tips:
2 (100%)
0
Prior to Strickland’s win over Adesanya, we might have been picking Du Plessis to win this clash. The South African sure has been on a rampage through the UFC. However, we believe the No. 5 contender in the middleweight division will come up against his match in Strickland this weekend.
Two main reasons why Strickland should win this one: his elusiveness, and his takedown defense. Both are perfectly set up to defuse Du Plessis’s approach to fighting. Whether Strickland wins by decision or late knockout is another question – one which you’ll need to read on to find out.
2 (100%)
0
This is the most likely outcome, we say, despite bookies favoring Strickland to win by knockout. Just as Strickland did against Adesanya, the champion will know that he can chip away at his opponent, picking up points as they tire. Du Plessis has never been knocked out of the UFC and has only suffered one stoppage in his entire career. Chances are, this one goes to the judges’ cards, and Strickland keeps his belt.
The UFC 297 main event heads to Canada this weekend, but it’s still an American taking center stage. Strickland is out for revenge after Du Plessis ruffled his feathers at UFC 296, and we say he’ll get it in style. Expect yet another striking clinic from the champion as he defends his middleweight belt for the first time in Toronto. Try our BetZillion’s betting excellence.
