The 2024 pay-per-view schedule will open with Sean Strickland defending his middleweight title for the first time at UFC 297, a reign that was made possible with one of the biggest upsets of the past year.
Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC), who meets Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the Jan. 20 main event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, captured the 185-pound belt with a stunning domination of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September.
Entering the fight as a giant underdog with minimal expectations, Strickland put on a near masterclass over the course of five rounds. He dropped two-time champ Adesanya in the first round, then used a methodical game plan of pressure and sharp defense to win a convincing unanimous decision and leave Australia with UFC gold.
