NoNonsense Blog: UFC 297 🥊
NoNonsense Blog: UFC 297 🥊
Will A New Middleweight King Be Crowned in Canada?
Full card predictions:
UFC 297 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the world of mixed martial arts. Taking place this saturday in Toronto, the spotlight shines bright on the Middleweight Championship clash between the champion Sean Strickland and the formidable challenger Dricus Du Plessis.
This event not only signifies a pivotal moment for the fighters but also marks a captivating blend of fighting styles and strategies.
Here’s a look at the AI’s early impressions of the upcoming fights on the main card and how they might play out:
Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis
The main event, featuring Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis, is already generating buzz.
Sean Strickland: Known for his technical boxing and excellent jab, Strickland is a fighter who excels in controlling the pace and distance. His striking accuracy and footwork allow him to dictate fights standing up. However, his ground game, particularly his defensive grappling, is often overlooked but equally competent.
Dricus Du Plessis: A formidable striker with a background in kickboxing, Du Plessis brings a more aggressive style. His power and ability to finish fights (evident in his TKO win over Whittaker) make him a constant threat. However, his approach might leave him vulnerable to counter-strikes from a technical boxer like Strickland.
Potential Fight Dynamics: Expect Strickland to utilize his jab and footwork to maintain distance, potentially exploiting Du Plessis's aggressiveness with counter-punching. Du Plessis will likely look for opportunities to close the distance and land powerful strikes. The key for Du Plessis is to pressure Strickland without overextending himself.
Early NoNonsense analysis leans towards one fighter with a 58% probability of victory, predicting a TKO in Round 3 in this much-anticipated middleweight clash.
Women's Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Raquel Pennington: A well-rounded fighter, Pennington is known for her grit, endurance, and boxing skills. Her ability to mix striking with clinch work makes her formidable in close-range exchanges. She's also shown resilience and the ability to perform well under pressure, especially in later rounds.
Mayra Bueno Silva: Silva brings a strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background, making her a significant threat on the ground. Her striking has improved, but her main strength lies in her submission skills.
Potential Fight Dynamics: Pennington might focus on keeping the fight standing, using her boxing and clinch control to neutralize Silva's ground game. Silva, on the other hand, would benefit from taking the fight to the mat, where she has a distinct advantage. Watch for Silva's attempts to grapple and Pennington's defensive wrestling and clinch work.
The AI favors one of these ladies to adorn the vacant bantamweight belt with a 60% chance. With the win coming by decision.
Welterweight Bout: Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott
Neil Magny: Magny's reach and volume striking are key assets. He's adept at using his long jab to keep opponents at bay. His experience and cardio also play a vital role in his fighting style, often wearing down opponents over time.
Mike Malott: A well-rounded fighter with a balance of striking and grappling, Malott has shown proficiency in submissions. His balanced skill set means he can compete both on the feet and on the ground.
Potential Fight Dynamics: Magny will likely use his reach to control the striking distance. Malott might look to close the distance, leveraging his grappling and potentially his power striking to counter Magny's reach advantage.
NoNonsense sees one fighter with a slight edge, a 55% win probability, also hinting at a submission victory in Round 2.
Middleweight Bout: Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
Chris Curtis: Known for his striking and durability, Curtis has shown a knack for come-from-behind victories. His striking, particularly his counter-punching, is a key asset.
Marc-Andre Barriault: Barriault brings a pressure-fighting style with good power in his strikes. His ability to keep a high pace could be crucial in this matchup.
Potential Fight Dynamics: Expect Barriault to apply pressure and try to back Curtis against the cage, where his power striking can be most effective. Curtis, meanwhile, will look to utilize his counter-striking to catch Barriault as he moves forward.
The AI predicts a decision victory in this one, leaning towards one fighter with a 57% probability.
Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
Arnold Allen: With a strong striking game and solid grappling, Allen is a versatile fighter. His ability to blend different aspects of MMA seamlessly makes him unpredictable.
Movsar Evloev: Undefeated and known for his grappling prowess, particularly his wrestling, Evloev can control opponents on the ground. His striking is evolving, but his main strength lies in his takedowns and top control.
Potential Fight Dynamics: Allen's challenge will be to keep the fight standing and utilize his striking advantage. Evloev will likely aim to take Allen down and control him on the mat, using his superior grappling.
AI's analysis suggests a 62% probability for this fight finishing via unanimous decision.
UFC 297 promises an unforgettable spectacle for fight enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. Full AI predictions including prelims and early prelims will be posted this saturday!
NoNonsense
Full card predictions: