UFC 297 date, start time, odds, PPV schedule and full card for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis

The UFC returns to Toronto for the first time since 2018 with two major titles on the line at UFC 297 on January 20. The main event will see Sean Strickland defend the UFC middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis. The event airs on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S. 

Strickland made his pro debut in 2008. A King of the Cage middleweight champion, the 32-year-old joined the UFC in 2014 and is 14-5 in the octagon. He had his six-fight win streak snapped by Alex Pereira and went back to the drawing board. The 32-year-old went 3-0 in 2023, beating Nassourdine Imavov and Abusupiyan Magomedov before outclassing Israel Adesanya in September to win the UFC middleweight title. 

Du Plessis is a 2012 W.A.K.O. Cadet World Championships winner in kickboxing. The South African turned pro in 2013 and won the EFC welterweight title in 2015. He won the EFC middleweight belt in 2017 and the KSW welterweight belt in 2018. Joining the UFC in 2020, Du Plessis is 6-0 with the promotion, with his last contest being a TKO win against former champion Robert Whittaker in July.

The co-main event will see Raquel Pennington fight Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. The title became vacant when Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289.

Pennington turned pro in 2012. A former Invicta fighter, Pennington joined the UFC in 2013 and is 12-5 with the promotion. She failed to capture the bantamweight belt against Nunes in 2018. After losing against Holly Holm in 2020 (the second loss against Holm in her career), "Rocky" has won five in a row, her last contest being a split decision win in January 2023 against Ketlen Vieira.

Silva turned pro in 2015. She joined Dana White's Contender Series in 2018 and is 6-2-1 with one no-contest in the octagon. "Sheetara" was on a three-fight win streak when she beat Holm in July, a fight that got overturned after she tested positive for ADHD medication.

The Sporting News will provide all you need to know about UFC 297, from time, channel, odds, card, and more.

When is UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis?

UFC 297 is on January 20. The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Strickland and du Plessis should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

How to watch UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis PPV price: How much does UFC 297 cost?

In the U.S., the UFC 297 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 297 is $79.99for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $134.98 for the UFC 297 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.

In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.

UFC 297 “Early Bird” Discount

ESPN+ is offering $10 off UFC 297 for fans who purchase the fight early until January 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

That will bring the price down to $69.99.

New/returning subscribers who purchase UFC 297 and the Annual Plan will receive $15 off.

Where is UFC 297?

UFC 297 is in the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The arena can hold up to 19,800 people. 

Betting odds for UFC 297

Per Bet MGM, Sean Strickland is the -120 favorite, while Dricus du Plessis is the +100 underdog. 

Per Bet MGM, Mayra Bueno Silva is the -175 favorite, while Raquel Pennington is the +145 underdog. 

• Nationality: American
• Born: February 27, 1991
• Height: 6-1
• Reach: 76 inches
• Total fights: 33
• Record: 28-5 with eleven wins via knockout

• Nationality: South African
• Born: January 14, 1994
• Height: 6-0
• Reach: 76 inches
• Total fights: 22
• Record: 20–2 with nine wins via knockout

• Nationality: American
• Born: September 5, 1988
• Height: 5-7
• Reach: 67.5 inches
• Total fights: 23
• Record: 15–8 with one win via knockout 

• Nationality: Brazilian
• Born: August 22, 1991
• Height: 5-7
• Reach: 66.5 inches
• Total fights: 14
• Record: 10–2–1 (1 NC) with one win via knockout 

• Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva for the UFC bantamweight title
• Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott; Welterweights
• Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; Middleweights
• Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev; Featherweights

• Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield; Bantamweights
• Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson; Featherweights
• Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras; Bantamweights
• Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana; Strawweights

• Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson; Welterweights
• Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira; Flyweights
• Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick; Flyweights