UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis Odds, AI Picks, and AI Prediction
In the first of 12 PPV UFC events of 2024, Sean Strickland will be looking to defend his middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis in Toronto, Canada. Will the harsh words and threats carry over into the octagon?
To find out who to bet on in this championship fight, you first have to understand the styles of these fighters and what the Strickland vs Du Plessis odds are to bet on this weekend.
Let’s get into this intriguing middleweight matchup and try to predict who will get their hand raised on Saturday night and what their path is to getting Dana White to wrap that belt around their waist in the octagon.
Bout Information
| SEAN STRICKLAND vs DRICUS DU PLESSIS |
| Location of the Game: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Date and Time: January 20, 2024 – 10 PM ET main card start |
| Reason: UFC 297 Middleweight Title Bout |
| How to watch: ESPN+ PPV |
AI Betting Picks
| ODDS | AI BETTING PICKS |
| OVER/UNDER | Over 2.5 rounds (-110) |
| MONEYLINE | Dricus Du Plessis (-115) |
After seeing the Strickland vs Du Plessis odds are so even. This proves the point of how tough making UFC computer picks is. Picking Du Plessis to win was tough to do but certain things are very likely to happen.
This Strickland vs Du Plessis bout has the potential to be the most fun on the entire card. Lastly, Strickland can take some heavy shots. There won’t be as many minutes passing by with Strickland controlling the fight with pressure and not throwing a lot of volume. Du Plessis doesn’t have the patience for that–he will take chances.
The shot that is worrisome for Strickland is Du Plessis’ front-hand left hook. When he is in orthodox, the South African likes to set up a big left hook with his jab. This is the same shot that Pereira threw and knocked Strickland out within 2022 because Strickland likes to paw at jabs with that Philly shell stance.
These UFC fighters are going to go to war no matter what. The outcome of this main event will be determined by who can set the pace early on and control it. Both guys do their best work on the front foot so that will be a big factor.
Strickland vs Plessis Odds
| FIGHTER | MONEYLINE | OVER/UNDER |
| SEAN STRICKLAND | -115 | O 2.5 |
| DRICUS DU PLESSIS | -115 | U 2.5 |
According to the available UFC odds, Strickland is coming in as the slight -116 betting favorite. He is also +130 to win inside the distance, +300 to win a decision, and +180 to win by TKO/KO. These are probably the three most bet-on lines for Strickland right now.
Du Plessis is closing in on Strickland by being the -104 underdog as the weekend creeps closer. Don’t be surprised if these lines get closer to EVEN by the time they close on Saturday night. You can get Du Plessis to win inside the distance at +150, and he’s +900 to win a decision.
According to the Strickland vs Du Plessis odds, the over/under is at 2.5 rounds with the u2.5 being favored at -150.
Betting Preview
Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland’s bouts haven’t always been must-watch television. Because, he has been in the UFC for quite a long time and has only seen a surge in popularity and winning ability in recent years. He’s an American fighter with a professional MMA record of 28-5, including 11 TKO/KO wins and 4 submissions.
Strickland is listed as a 6’1” orthodox boxer-style fighter with a 76” reach. In the octagon, he averages 5.82 significant strikes landed per minute and 0.92 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. He also has a very solid 84% takedown defense.
Dricus Du Plessis
Du Plessis is a South African professional MMA fighter with a record of 20-2 with 9 TKO/KO wins and 10 submissions–a 100% finish rating. Besides, he is a very good kickboxer with a gold medal at amateur Junior World’s in 2012 and has a second-degree black belt in kickboxing.
Du Plessis is a 6’1” kickboxer with a 76” reach while fighting out of switch stances. He’s also an awkward striker with an average of 6.95 significant strikes landed per minute while only absorbing 3.97. He will also mix in takedowns and holds an average of 2.72 takedowns per 15 minutes, according to Du Plessis’ stats.
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