As the Scotiabank Arena in Canada prepares to host UFC297, fight enthusiasts can anticipate a card featuring compelling matchups including the middleweight title fight. Let's dive into it with our MMA expert's thoughts on the main card fights.

 

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Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloe (Sunday 3:10 UTC)

In the featherweight division at 145 pounds, fans are in for a treat as Arnold "Almighty" Allen squares off against the Russian sensation Movsar Evloev. Arnold Allen, hailing from BKK Fighters, is a seasoned 29-year-old Englishman known for his striking finesse. Despite a recent setback against former UFC Champion Max Holloway, Allen brings a wealth of experience to the octagon. On the flip side, the undefeated 29-year-old Movsar Evloev, representing the American Top Team, is a Jiu-Jitsu virtuoso with a perfect 17-0-0 record.

While not known for delivering knockout blows, Evloev's dominant decision victories underscore his control and strategic prowess. This matchup promises to showcase a captivating clash of styles, with Evloev entering as the favourite.

In the lead-up to the fight, Allen has undergone rigorous training to refine his striking skills and mount a strong defence against Evloev's ground game. Evloev, confident in his grappling abilities, aims to maintain his unblemished record. As the two fighters step into the featherweight spotlight, the Scotiabank Arena will witness a battle that could potentially shake up the division rankings. With Evloev as the favourite, fans can expect tactical brilliance and calculated exchanges in this exciting featherweight bout.

For this fight, as we wrote before Movsar Evloev is the favourite and his victory is priced at 1.540 and Arnold Alle's victory is priced at 2.580.

 

Chris Curtis vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Sunday 3:50 UTC)

A surprise addition to the main card, the middleweight clash between Chris "Action Man" Curtis and Marc-Andre "Powerbar" Barriault adds an unexpected layer of intrigue. Curtis, a 36-year-old American from Xtreme Couture, steps into the octagon on short notice, bringing a record of 30-10-0. Known for his striking prowess, Curtis faced a recent non-contest fight against Nassourdine Imavov.

On the other side of the cage, local Canadian Barriault, 33 years old with a record of 16-6-0, is coming off a notable unanimous decision win over Eryk Anders. Barriault, with a striking style and an orthodox stance, looks to capitalize on his recent success and make a statement against the seasoned Curtis. Despite being the underdog, Curtis brings an element of unpredictability to the middleweight division, promising fans an entertaining matchup with exciting exchanges.

As Curtis and Barriault prepare for their showdown, the fight narrative unfolds with Curtis adjusting to the short-notice opportunity and Barriault aiming to showcase his striking abilities in front of a home crowd. The middleweight clash at 185 pounds is poised to deliver thrilling moments and potential surprises, adding an element of unpredictability to the main card. Fans can anticipate an all-action affair as these two middleweights look to make their mark and leave an indelible impression on the Scotiabank Arena.

Chris Curtis is the favourite and is priced at 1.543 while Marc-Andre Barriault's victory is priced at 2.58.

 

Neil Magny vs Mike Malott (Sunday 4:30 UTC)

The welterweight division takes centre stage with a compelling matchup between the seasoned Neil "The Haitian Sensation" Magny and the rising Canadian star Mike "Proper" Malott. Magny, a 36-year-old American with a record of 28-12-0, brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the octagon. Coming off a unanimous decision loss to Ian Garry, Magny is eager to bounce back and reassert his dominance in the welterweight ranks.

Across from him stands the 32-year-old Canadian, Malott, with a professional record of 10-1-1. Known for his mixed martial arts specialist style and orthodox stance, Malott enters the fight with confidence following a submission victory against Adam Fugitt. Despite Magny's credentials, Malott is deemed the favourite for this welterweight clash at 170 pounds.

The narrative leading up to the fight revolves around Magny's quest for redemption and Malott's pursuit of further establishing himself as a force in the welterweight division. Magny, representing the Elevation Fight Team, will look to leverage his experience and well-rounded skill set to overcome the rising star in Malott.

As the welterweights prepare for battle, fans can expect a contest defined by strategic brilliance, diverse fighting styles, and the sheer determination of two fighters with contrasting backgrounds. The welterweight clash at 170 pounds promises to be a spectacle, with Magny seeking resurgence and Malott eyeing another impressive victory on his ascent in the division. For this fight, the victory of Neil Magny is priced at 3.750 making him the clear underdog and the victory of Mike Mallot is priced at 1.289.

 

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Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva (Sunday 05:00 UTC)

The co-main event of the evening features a compelling clash for the Bantamweight title as Raquel "Rocky" Pennington takes on the Brazilian powerhouse Mayra Bueno Silva. Pennington, a 35-year-old American and former title contender, enters the octagon with a determined spirit to reclaim her spot at the top. With a record of 15-9-0, Pennington recently secured a hard-fought split-decision victory against Brazilian Ketlen Vieira in a contest that showcased her resilience and skill.

On the opposite side stands the confident 32-year-old Silva, hailing from the American Top Team with the nickname "Sheetara." Silva boasts a record of 10-2-1 and is coming off a no-contest fight against former champion Holly Holm in the UFC fight night Holm vs Bueno Silva. Known for her striking style and orthodox stance, Silva exudes confidence as she steps into the co-main event spotlight.

As the Bantamweight title takes centre stage, the narrative unfolds with Pennington seeking the championship once more and Silva aiming to solidify her position as a dominant force in the division. Pennington's freestyle fighting style and Silva's striking prowess set the stage for an intriguing battle of skills. The co-main event promises fans a contest defined by strategic brilliance, calculated exchanges, and the relentless pursuit of championship glory. With the Bantamweight title hanging in the balance, Pennington and Silva are poised to deliver a memorable fight that adds a layer of excitement to the UFC event at the Scotiabank Arena.

Raquel Pennington's win is priced at 2.340 and  Mayra Bueno Silva's win is priced at 1.640 making her the favourite for this fight.

 

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis (Sunday 05:45 UTC)

The high point of the action unfolds with the main event, a highly anticipated Middleweight Championship showdown between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland, the reigning American champion, secured the title with a resounding victory against prodigy fighter Israel Adesanya in the UFC 293 Adesanya vs Strickland. With a record of 28-5-0, Strickland, known by the nickname "Tarzan," is set to make his first title defence in what promises to be a captivating contest.

His striking style and orthodox stance have proven effective, and Strickland's love for combat adds a unique element to the matchup. On the other side of the octagon stands the 30-year-old South African, Du Plessis with a record of 20-2-0, coming off an impressive TKO victory against Robert Whittaker in the UFC 290 Volkanovski vs Rodriguez.

The Middleweight title fight transcends beyond the physical battle, evolving into a clash of narratives and approaches. Strickland, characterized by technical striking and composure, faces the relentless pressure of Du Plessis, who thrives in chaos with his mixed martial art style and switch stance.

The lead-up to this fight has been marked by verbal jabs and controversies, intensifying the showdown not just in terms of skills but personalities. As the main event unfolds, the Scotiabank Arena will bear witness to a Middleweight spectacle with championship implications and a rivalry that extends beyond the octagon.

Strickland, priced as the champion at 1.800, carries the weight of expectations against Du Plessis, priced at 2.090.

With the over/under set at 2.5 and priced at 1.925, the main event promises to be a riveting conclusion to an electrifying night of UFC action at the Scotiabank Arena.

 

Early Prelims Card (23:30 UTC)

Malcolm Gordon vs Jimmy Flick

Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Priscila Cachoeira

Yohan Lainesse vs Sam Patterson

 

Preliminary Card (01:00 UTC)

Gillian Robertson vs Polayna Viana

Serhiy Sidey vs Ramon Taveras

Charles Jourdain vs Sean Woodson 

Brad Katona vs Garrett Armfield

 

Main Card (03:00 UTC)

Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev

Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott

Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 12:00 UTC Friday 19th January**

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