What time is Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis on tonight and how can you watch UFC 297? Everything you need to know as the two middleweight stars go head-to-head in the first pay-per-view of 2024

Sean Strickland will defend his middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis Du Plessis comes into the fight off a win against Robert Whittaker last summer  English MMA star Arnold Allen is also set to feature on tonight's card

Sean Strickland will be looking to successfully defend his middleweight title for the first time when he faces Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 later tonight.

The 32-year-old shocked the world and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport when he dethroned Israel Adesanya in his last fight at UFC 293.

As for Du Plessis, the South African is unbeaten in the UFC so far and posses a real threat to Strickland’s title. The 30-year-old secured a crack at the title after defeating Robert Whittaker via a stunning second round TKO at UFC 290 back in July.

The co-main event will see Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva compete for the vacant women’s bantamweight title following Amanda Nunes’ retirement. UFC 297 also sees the return of Arnold Allen return for the first time since his defeat to Max Holloway.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know ahead of UFC 297.

Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will go head-to-head at UFC 297 this evening

Strickland secured one of the biggest upset in the history of the sport against Israel Adesanya in his last fight

UFC 297 – Key information 

UFC 297 will be taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada tonight.

The early prelims will get underway at 11pm GMT while those in America will be able to catch them at 6pm ET/3pm PT. The early prelims will get underway at 9am (Sunday) EST or 8:30am ACST for those watching in Australia.

The prelims are due to begin 1am GMT on Sunday morning, while those in the US will be able to catch the action at 5pm ET/ 6pm PT on Saturday. The prelims will begin at 11am (Sunday) AEST or 10:30am ACST.

The main card is scheduled to get underway at 3am GMT for those in the UK and at 10pm ET/7pm PT for those watching in the US. Fans watching in Australia will be able to catch the action at 1pm (Sunday) EST or 12:30pm ACST.

Strickland and Du Plessis are set to make their way to the Octagon at around 5am GMT or 12pm ET/9pm PT.

How to watch

UFC 297 will be shown live on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.

US fans will be able to watch all the action on ESPN, while fans in Australia can watch all the card on Kayo Sports.

Mail Sport will also be providing live coverage of UFC 297, so you can keep up to date with all the action here.

Du Plessis earned a crack at the title after defeating Robert Whittaker last year

Strickland vs Du Plessis – Key details 

Full fight card

Subject to change

Main card

• Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis – For UFC middleweight title
• Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva – For vacant UFC bantamweight title
• Neil Magny vs Mike Malott
• Chris Curtis vs Marc-Andre Barriault
• Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloev

Preliminary card

• Brad Katona vs Garrett Armfield
• Charles Jourdain vs Sean Woodson
• Serhiy Sidey vs Ramon Taveras
• Gillian Robertson vs Polyana Viana

Early preliminary card

• Yohan Lainesse vs Sam Patterson
• Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Priscila Cachoeira
• Malcolm Gordon vs Jimmy Flick

UFC 297 will see the return of English featherweight star Arnold Allen

Odds

Sean Strickland to win – 10/11

Dricus du Plessis to win – 5/6

All odds via Sky Bet and correct at the time of publication.