- The initial betting odds for Dricus Du Plessis challenging for the middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 297 are now available.
- Will Strickland’s defenesive be enough to stop Du Plessis at UFC 297, or will their be another new middlweight champion?
- We cover the best bets and give an early fight prediction for Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis .
A huge middleweight championship fight has been announced for Canada. Sean Strickland is preparing for his debut title defense against the division’s second-ranked contender, Dricus Du Plessis. This highly anticipated battle will take center stage as the headline event of UFC 297’s pay-per-view fight card, set to electrify Canadians on January 20th in Toronto.
Strickland vs Du Plessis Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
| Sean Strickland | -190 |
| Dricus Du Plessis | +165 |
The oddsmakers are giving Sean Strickland a 65.5% chance of defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. That’s a $100 profit off a $190 wager for “Tarzan”, meanwhile Du Plessis offers really value as the betting underdog. You can make $165 off a $100 bet on Dricus Du Plessis – if he becomes the newly crowned middleweight champion.
My early betting picks are fight goes over 2.5 rounds, Du Plessis by TKO/KO or Strickland by decision.
In terms of best bets to make at UFC 297, outside of the moneyline – I’ll be reviewing odds on Strickland or Du Plessis to win by finish and decision once those lines are released. Check out these Canadian sports betting apps for the best ways to bet on UFC online.
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis Prediction
Sean Strickland executed an almost flawless game plan against Israel to neutralize the dominant champion. The clash of styles will be intriguing—Strickland’s MMA version of the Philly shell against Du Plessis’s blend of aggression, pace, and diverse striking and takedown abilities. Du Plessis presents a significant threat to Strickland, particularly given the rapid progression the South African has demonstrated from fight to fight.
Strickland might hold a significant advantage over Du Plessis if the fight extends into the championship rounds. In Du Plessis’s initial UFC bouts, there were instances where he showed signs of fatigue, notably against opponents like Darren Till and Brad Tavares. However, in his recent victories, he has displayed a more composed approach, exhibiting improved cardio and a more controlled level of aggression.
Strickland’s distinctive fighting style, quite different from his trash talk, has firmly established itself in the UFC. With a convincing victory over Adesanya, it’s evident that when he adheres to a game plan, he’s capable of defeating one of the most dominant champions in recent UFC history.
Both fighters showcased their best UFC performances in their recent fights. Du Plessis notably rose to the occasion against former titleholder Robert Whittaker. He landed 62 strikes compared to Whittaker’s 31, resulting in Du Plessis finishing the fight in the 2nd round. Du Plessis’s pace and ability to seamlessly integrate takedowns could pose significant challenges for Strickland.
Strickland’s 82% takedown defense might prove beneficial in this fight if Dricus opts to incorporate takedowns alongside his consistent striking efforts.
Unlike Adesanya, Du Plessis won’t engage in a tactical battle of trying to dismantle the champion methodically; it’s a “kill or be killed” approach, making this hype for this fight real.
However, considering Strickland’s experience and Du Plessis’s tendency to leave himself vulnerable to attacks, the odds for this fight favor Strickland. I don’t anticipate Strickland finishing Du Plessis. Instead, Du Plessis might find a way to penetrate Strickland’s solid defense and secure a knockout victory to become the new middleweight champion.
Betting Pick: Du Plessis
