UFC 129 was a blockbuster – the biggest names, the biggest crowd and the biggest production possible – before the next two events produced Jon Jones’ title defense against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, as well as the crowning the first UFC flyweight champion.
UFC 165 caught everyone off guard, including Jones, as Alexander Gustafsson pushed “Bones” to his limits, and then UFC 206 was the sleeper hit of the year – a standout event with a fight at Hall of Fame, Max’s first championship victory. Holloway’s career and more.
The last time the UFC blew up in “The Big Smoke,” Holloway knocked out Brian Ortega, Valentina Shevchenko ascended to the flyweight throne and the late Elias Theodorou earned what would be the UFC’s final victory of his career.
This weekend, the Octagon returns to Scotiabank Arena for UFC 297, where two championship fights feature a card loaded with Canadian talent and compelling fights, and we’ve got the whole thing previewed here for your greatest reading pleasure.
Main event: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Co-main event: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Location: Scotiabank Arena — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Where to watch: ESPN+/ESPN
How to watch UFC 297 in your country
Other main card matches:
• Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott
• Chris Curtis vs. Marc-André Barriault
•Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
Preliminary matches:
• Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield
• Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson
• Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras
• Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
• Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson
• Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira
• Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick