UFC 297 -- Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis: Results, highlights, fight card, winners, complete guide

Two new champions were crowned on Saturday night in Toronto

By Shakiel Mahjouri

Jan 21, 2024 at 9:35 am ET • 2 min read

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The middleweight division has been turned on its head. Another new champion has risen to the top after Dricus du Plessis earned a split decision over Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday. Du Plessis became the fourth fighter in the last 15 months to hold the title by narrowly outpointing Strickland.

The two delivered mostly on their promise to go to war inside the Scotiabank Arena as Strickland did well behind his piston-like jab and du Plessis tried any and everything to get around it with damage. Strickland nearly closed du Plessis' left eye from swelling while the South African opened up a nasty gash under Strickland's left late in the fight.

In the end, the judges felt du Plessis had done enough to unseat the champion as he now has a host of challenger ready to strike.

In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington completed a 12-year journey to earn the women's bantamweight title by outpointing Mayra Bueno Silva. Pennington escaped a pair of dire positions where Bueno Silva appeared close to securing submissions and rallied to do more damage on the feet. She closed the show by chasing a submission as Bueno Silva completely ran out of gas. Pennington has amassed an incredible resume over the years and has finally reached the mountaintop after her friend and longtime rival Amanda Nunes announced her retirement last year.

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CBS Sports was with you throughout fight week with the latest news, in-depth features and betting advice to consider. Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you at UFC 298 in Anaheim, California.

UFC 297 fight card, results

Dricus du Plessis def. Sean Strickland (c) via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Raquel Pennington def. Mayra Bueno Silva def. via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
Neil Magny def. Mike Malott via third-round TKO (punches)
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, 29-28, 29-28)
Garrett Armfield def. Brad Katona via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana via second-round TKO (punches)
Sam Patterson def. Yohan Lainesse via first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Priscila Cachoeira via third-round submission (D'arce choke)
Jimmy Flick def. Malcolm Gordon via second-round submission (triangle choke)