UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis odds, picks and predictions

In a 5-round middleweight championship bout in the co-main event, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis meet Saturday at UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The early prelims begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, while the prelims can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. The main card begins on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET.

Records: Strickland (28-5-0) | Du Plessis (20-2-0)

Strickland snatched the middleweight belt with a unanimous-decision victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sept. 2023, and this is his first title defense since. He has ended up going the distance in 3 of his past 4 bouts, and 6 of the previous 8 fights. The other fights resulted in a KO/TKO of Abus Magomedov in July 2023, and a KO/TKO loss to Alex Pereira in Round 1 at UFC 276.

Du Plessis picked up a 2nd-Round KO/TKO over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July 2023 in his most-recent fight. The South African has won his first 6 fights at the UFC level, and he has won 8 consecutive pro bouts since his last loss in a title fight at KSW 45 against Roberto Soldic in Oct. 2018.

Both fighters head to the octagon with a 76-inch reach. The switch stance fighter Du Plessis has a slight 6.95-to-5.82 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, while landing 57.99% of those strikes, to just 43.78% for the champ.

In addition, Du Plessis has a 2.72 takedown average and 1.09 submission average, while Strickland checks in with a 0.92 takedown average and 0.20 takedown average.

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UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis picks and predictions

DU PLESSIS (-115) initially opened as a slight underdog, but he is now listed as the slight favorite. The South African fighter has won all 6 of his fights at the UFC level, including 4 KO/TKO wins. The most impressive was his upset of Whittaker in Las Vegas in July, a stunning win in Round 2.

The controversial Strickland (-105) puts his belt on the line for the first time, and he’ll find a hungry challenger on the other side.

If you don’t want to declare a winner, but still want action, playing KO/TKO/DQ (-150) is the best bet for the “How Fight Will End” prop. In addition, rolling with DU PLESSIS BY KO/TKO OR DQ (+200) for a chance to double up is certainly worth a roll of the dice.

Over 1.5 Rounds (-250) makes no sense, as this will cost you 2 1/2 time your potential return, and that’s just too much risk for not enough reward.

Instead, OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-120) might be worth a look. Strickland has ended up going the distance in 3 of his past 4 fights, while needing the judges in 6 of his past 8 outings. Du Plessis has fought past the midway point of Round 3 in 2 of his past 4 bouts.