Dricus du Plessis Sean Strickland UFC 297

The stage is set for the UFC 297 middleweight title fight between champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis. Image via Instagram @dricusduplessis

UFC 297: Dricus du Plessis v Sean Strickland does NOT start at 05:00!

The stage is set for the UFC 297 middleweight title fight between champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis.

Dricus du Plessis Sean Strickland UFC 297

The stage is set for the UFC 297 middleweight title fight between champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis. Image via Instagram @dricusduplessis

The stage is set for the UFC 297 middleweight title fight between American champion Sean Strickland and South African challenger Dricus du Plessis.

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Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) will attempt to win in his first middleweight championship defence when he takes on Du Plessis (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

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The main card fights will start on 05:00 (SA time) on Sunday, 21 January, live on SuperSport.

There are five fights scheduled for the main card.

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The Strickland v Du Plessis clash is the fifth and final of those fights.

Prior to that, the following fights will take place, starting at 05:00 (SA time):

DivisionFight
FeatherweightArnold Allen v Movsar Evloev
MiddleweightChris Curtis v Marc-Andre Barriault
WelterweightNeil Magny v Mike Malott
Women’s bantamweightRaquel Pennington v Mayra Beuno Silva
MiddleweightSean Strickland v Dricus du Plessis

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Meanwhile, after making weight on Friday, Strickland and Du Plessis got one last look at each other during the ceremonial weigh-in staredown, where they shared some final words.

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Strickland weighed in at 184.5 pounds with Du Plessis tipping the scales at 184 pounds.