Don’t even think about betting UFC 297 until you read this article all the way through. We’ve analyzed the card’s top fights to select the bets MOST worth taking at UFC 297. Stick with us to get this expert betting advice free of cost!
- What: UFC 297
- When: January 20, 2024
- Where: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada
Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis Betting Pick
For the first time in six and a half years, we have ourselves a UFC middleweight title match that doesn’t feature either Robert Whittaker or Izzy Adesanya. Both those greats lost last time out to Strickland and Du Plessis, setting up this new era in the division. The champion, Strickland, is being favored to win over Du Plessis odds-wise. Here is how the best UFC betting sites have the main event pegged at:
| Fighter |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Strickland | -125 | -125 | -125 |
| Dricus Du Plessis | -105 | -105 | -105 |
There’s a whole lot of bad blood between these two thanks to a heated press conference which turned into an in-crowd brawl while attending UFC 296. Perhaps that was a preview of things to come because we expect a slugfest come bell time. Each of these two is pressure fighters, albeit they go about it differently.
We’ll start with Strickland, who soundly beat Adesanya in one of the biggest UFC title fight upsets ever. Strickland outstruck him 137-94 and even dropped him at one point. More than anything else, Strickland has ridiculous output. He averages just under six strikes per minute and seemingly never gassed out. Strickland’s power is pretty modest, but his pace can really shine in a five-round championship fight.
Du Plessis’ gas tank is more of a question mark, and it will really be tested over five rounds. However, he is way, way more dangerous than Strickland. Du Plessis is a finish machine with 19 of 20 wins coming early. He’s lethal both standing up and on the ground thanks to solid wrestling. Ten is his finishes have come via KO and the other nine by submission so Du Plessis brings real balance into the picture.
This is far from an easy pick but our gut tells us this is Du Plessis’ fight to lose. Strickland can be hit-able and we sense Du Plessis could make him pay for it. He’s continuously improved in the ring and we could see Du Plessis stopping Strickland mid-fight before his endurance wears off.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington Betting Pick
The women’s bantamweight championship is on the line in this fight. The belt has been vacant since Amanda Nunes retired over the summer but two worthy challengers will fight to change that. This title fight is also close on the moneyline. Check out the current Pennington-Silva odds:
| Fighter | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayra Bueno Silva | -160 | -160 | -160 |
| Raquel Pennington | +130 | +130 | +130 |
Silva is the betting favorite, and we can see why. She’s a finisher through and through. The Brazilian is phenomenal on the ground with seven of her 10 wins coming via submission. It’s not that she’s so good at taking down her opponents (averages only 0.35 per fight), but Silva is a monster if her opponent is ever on the ground.
Pennington, to her credit, is also a solid grappler, but not nearly as good at finishing. Still, she’s a grizzled veteran in the UFC. Pennington is what you would call a “gamer” having faced high-level competition before like Nunes, Jessica Andrade, and Holly Holm, among others. In other words, this moment probably won’t be big for her.
Here’s what worries us about Pennington though: she’s lost all those big fights we mentioned. So there’s a history of coming up short. Does that change now that she’s 35 years old? Probably not. She is who she is and that’s why our money is going behind Silva.
Arnold Allen vs. Mosvar Evloev
UFC 297 is a really competitive card. Here again, we have a close betting line between Allen and Evloev at featherweight. Both are ranked in the top-10 in the division and could be in title contention with a win at UFC 297. Take a peak at how the Allen vs. Evloev odds shake out currently:
| Fighter | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | -155 | -155 | -155 |
| Arnold Allen | +125 | +125 | +125 |
This is a barn-burner of a matchup for two reasons. One, neither fighter is used to losing. Evloev is a perfect 19-0, while Allen is 19-2 (though is coming off a loss to Max Holloway). Two, it’s a matchup of strength vs. strength. For Evloev, it’s his insane takedown offense that’s the strength. He averages almost five per fight. However, Allen defends takedowns at an elite level so much that he hasn’t allowed one since 2028. Five years ago now!
We’re siding with Evloev to win this one. He’ll end Allen’s takedown defense streak and win this fight like the rest of his — wearing his opponent out on the ground. This will be a decision in case anyone wants to parlay it with an over bet too.
How To Bet On UFC 297?
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