South Africa has arrived as an MMA superpower.
Dricus du Plessis is the new UFC middleweight champion after a five-round showcase against former champion Sean Strickland in the UFC 297 main event. Du Plessis won by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).
While Sean Strickland worked from his classic defensive stance, utilizing the jab, the explosions from DDP evened up the score in the early rounds. While unable to keep Strickland on the ground for long, periodic takedowns from Du Plessis gave the judges more to consider when scoring for the South African.
Round four was the clearest round for any fighter, with Du Plessis opening up a cut on Strickland and on verge of breaking him down.
The former champion would rally for the final round, however, and the two ended the fight trading back and forth until the conclusion of the 25-minute contest.
UFC 297 RESULTS:
ESPN+ PPV Main Card (7pm)
MW Title: Dricus du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
BW Title: Raquel Pennington def. Mayra Bueno Silva via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
Neil Magny def. Mike Malott via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:45 of R3
Chris Curtis def. Marc-Andre Barriault via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Movsar Evloev def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
ESPN+ Prelims (5pm)
Garrett Armfield def. Brad Katona via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Sean Woodsen def. Charles Jourdain via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 3:12 of R2
UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ Early Prelims (3:30pm)
Sam Patterson def. Yohan Lainesse via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:03 of R1
Jasmine Jasdavicius def. Priscila Cachoeira via Submission (Anaconda Choke) at 4:21 of R3
Jimmy Flick def. Malcom Gordon via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) at 1:17 of R2
UFC 297 took place on January 20th, 2024, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.