Bold UFC Predictions for entire UFC 297 card, including a nasty win for Sean Strickland

Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next card, UFC 297 on Saturday.

Following a Fight Night card in Las Vegas, the MMA world leader takes their violence circus on the road for not only their first event in Canada this year but also the company’s first pay-per-view card of 2024. The event this weekend will be headlined by a championship bout when new middleweight king Sean Strickland defends his belt for the first time against fast-rising star Dricus Du Plessis.

The two fighters have developed a heated rivalry that includes a brawl in the crowd last month at UFC 296. The matchup is an interesting clash of styles that very well could decide who is the next long-term star of the division with former champion Israel Adesanya no longer the clear face of the weight class.

The card inside the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto will also feature several Canadian fighters competing in front of their home nation fans, and a title bout for the vacant women’s bantamweight belt between former title challenger Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva.

With all of that in mind, here are some bold UFC predictions for several of the major bouts on Saturday’s card.

Bold UFC predictions for UFC 297 this Saturday

Sean Strickland (28-5) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (20-2)

Strickland has a lot to prove in his first title defense. While he has had respect as a legitimate top-10 middleweight for the last couple of years, whenever he has needed a big win to prove he is a top-five-level fighter he has come up short. Of course, he beat Adesanya in September but there are still many who also have doubts about that victory since the former middleweight king is seemingly in an age-related decline.

Fortunately for “Tarzan” he gets a foe that looks like a very favorable matchup for him. Du Plessis is a talented fighter but he also has holes in his game that can be exploited by the champion on the feet. Look for the South African to be strong early but for the pace and superior striking of Strickland to eventually break him down before he finishes him in the third round.

UFC 297 odds: Sean Strickland (-135) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (+114)
Prediction: Strickland by TKO, Round 3

Neil Magny (28-11) vs. Mike Malott (10-1-1)

One of Canada’s best-rising stars gets a showcase opportunity on the main card of UFC 297. Mike Malott has been impressive during his three-fight run in the UFC but he gets a major step up in competition in, arguably, the most experienced fighter at welterweight today, Neil Magny. However, “Proper” is getting Magny at just the right time in his career.

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If this was three years ago, “The Haitian Sensation” would be a sizable favorite. But at 36 he is not the fighter he once was and is having trouble keeping up with the next generation of competitors. The American will make Malott earn every bit of this victory on Saturday but the Canadian will nonetheless score the biggest win of his career this weekend.

Odds: Neil Magny (+270) vs. Mike Malott (-340)
UFC Prediction: Malott by unanimous decision

Raquel Pennington (15-8) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1)

Raquel Pennington is one of the most experienced fighters on the women’s side of the UFC roster. She has competed against many of the best of her era and that know-how in the Octagon is certainly an advantage against Mayra Bueno Silva ahead of their bantamweight title fight co-main event.

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Nevertheless, Pennington is not the competitor she once was and is facing one of the best young and hungry fighters in the division. The Brazilian has been impressive during her run in the UFC and this opportunity is well-deserved. Look for her to prove on Saturday why she is a fighter of the present as she dispatches the 11-year UFC veteran in less than five rounds.

Odds: Raquel Pennington (+142) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (-170)
UFC Prediction: Silva by TKO, Round 4

Arnold Allen (19-2) vs. Movsar Evloev (17-0)

UFC 297 also features a fantastic matchup of young featherweight stars when Arnold Allen battles Movsar Evloev. It’s safe to say these two are the top up-and-comers in the division outside of Ilia Topuria — who will be fighting for gold in a few weeks. The odds on this bout are close and it is understandable since both are very talented and have clear paths to victory.

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Allen winning would not be at all surprising, but in fights like this leaning in the direction of the better grappler is often the safest way to go. That’s why for our UFC predictions on this matchup we see the Russian grinding out a hard-fought win with a heavy grappling attack to slow down and subdue the Englishman.

Odds: Arnold Allen (+150) vs. Movsar Evloev (-180)
UFC Prediction: Evloev by unanimous decision

Jasmine Jasudavicius (9-3) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (12-5)

Jasmine Jasudavicius is another Canadian fighter who will get a lot of support at UFC 297. This should make viewing her fight with Priscila Cachoeira that much more enjoyable because this bout is an under-the-radar scrap that has serious Fight of the Night potential.

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Both women are willing to throw down and get into a wild brawl and with the crowd rooting on Jasudavicius we fully expect this fight to devolve into an all-out war. However, due to that extra boost Jasudavicius will receive from her countrymen and women, we expect the native of Ontario to score a fun and bloody win this weekend.

Odds: Jasmine Jasudavicius (-395) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (+310)
UFC Prediction: Jasudavicius by TKO, Round 3

Full UFC 297 predictions

Main Card

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis – Strickland by TKO, Round 3
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva – Silva by TKO, Round 4
Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott – Malott by unanimous decision
Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault – Barriault by TKO, Round 2
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev – Evloev by unanimous decision

Preliminary Card

Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield – Katona by unanimous decision
Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson – Jourdain by split decision
Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras – Sidey by TKO, Round 1
Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana – Viana by unanimous decision
Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson – Lainesse by TKO, Round 2
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira – Jasudavicius by TKO, Round 3
Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick – Flick by submission, Round 1