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UFC 297 kicks off the pay-per-view schedule for 2024 with two title fights, including a middleweight championship main event that has the likelihood to feature chaotic results — and you can watch the cold open for the UFC’s return to Toronto below.

In the main event, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis battle for the 185-pound title. Strickland captured the championship with a dominant 25-minute decision win over two-time champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September, while du Plessis looks to remain undefeated in the UFC octagon and build upon the momentum of a stunning second-round finish of former champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 this past July.

A new women’s bantamweight champion will be crowned in the co-main event as streaking title challengers Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva look to take the crown vacated by Amanda Nunes this past June.

UFC 297 takes place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, with the main card airing exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

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Dricus Du Plessis couldn’t wait to get up close and personal with Sean Strickland during their final face-off.

On Saturday night, January 20, ‘Stillknocks’ will look to end Strickland’s reign at the top of the middleweight division early as the two sensational strikers square off in the highly anticipated UFC 297 headliner. Last month, things reached a boiling point between the fighters when ‘DDP’ made some disparaging remarks about Strickland’s traumatic upbringing. 24 hours later, ‘Tarzan’ lept over a row of seats and attacked Du Plessis inside T-Mobile Arena as UFC 296 unfolded in front of them.

Since then, Strickland and Du Plessis have seemingly buried the hatchet with the 185-pound king suggesting that he has nothing, but respect for his opponent despite threatening to stab him at one point.

During their final face-to-face encounter ahead of fight night, Du Plessis could barely contain himself and practically lunged at Strickland, forcing security to briefly step in and ensure there was no repeat of last month’s insanity.

“I ain’t got no predictions, but like they say, be careful what you wish for,” Du Plessis told Jon Anik at the ceremonial weigh-ins. “You asked for death. Your wish has been granted, my friend.

DDP’ goes into his first UFC title opportunity riding an eight-streak with six of those wins coming inside the Octagon. Du Plessis earned his shot with a brutal second-round knockout of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July.

As for Sean Strickland, the unlikely middleweight king will defend his title for the first time since stunning fans around the world with a dominant five-round performance against two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya last year. Strickland has already made a name for himself thanks to his outspoken nature and sometimes vile commentaries that have redefined love-hate relationships for fight fans.

Next, he’ll look to build his legacy as one of the promotion’s all-time great 185-pounders and it all starts in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Watch the full UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins below:

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TORONTO — UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis had an unconventional appearance at UFC 297’s ceremonial weigh-ins.

Watch their staredown above and a complete compilation of UFC 297 final faceoffs below.

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MMAWeekly was on site for the UFC 297 official weigh-in on Friday morning in Toronto, Canada.  The fight card is headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Sean Strickland and second-ranked Dricus Du Plessis.

The vacant women’s bantamweight title is on the line in the co-main event. Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva clash for the vacant strap.

Photography by Danny Mosaic

UFC 297 Weigh-In Photo Gallery 

View the 22 images of this gallery on the original article

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On the fifth episode of UFC 297 Embedded, Dricus du Plessis makes it a family affair, Mayra Bueno Silva and Polyana Viana join forces in their preparation, Raquel Pennington is joined by Tecia Torres and their daughter, and Mayra Bueno Silva gets candid about mental health. Then, the stars of Saturday hit the stage for a wild pre-fight press conference.

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The feud continues
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