UFC 297 the first PPV event of 2024 takes place this Saturday night from ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, Canada with both UFC middleweight and women’s bantamweight titles on the line.
UFC middleweight king Sean Strickland is set to defend his belt for the first time against Dricus du Plessis in the main event. In the co-main event the vacant women’s bantamweight title will be up for grabs between Mayra Bueno Silva and former challenger Raquel Pennington.
Strickland (28-5) is coming off a shocking victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 last September. He comes into his first title defense riding a 3-fight win streak and looking to continue his reign as champion.
Du Plessis (20-2) is undefeated in the UFC and on a 6-fight win streak coming off a stunning finish of former champion Robert Whittaker.
In the co-main event Silva (10-2-1) coming off a bout with former champion Holly Holm (eventually ruled a no-contest) and riding a 4-fight win streak into UFC 297.
Pennington (15-8) is on a 3-fight win streak and challenging for the title for the second time in her career having lost the first one against MMA legend Amanda Nunes.
All four fighters are expected to be in attendance for Thursday’s pre-fight press conference live on YouTube.
You can catch the full UFC 297 pre-fight press conference above. The live stream kicks off at 5PM ET.
