The first UFC pay-per-view card of 2024, UFC Vegas 297, took place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was an event filled with exciting matchups and notable moments. Let's take a closer look at some of the winners and losers from the UFC 297 fight card.
In the main event, Dricus du Plessis faced off against Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight championship. In a closely contested battle, du Plessis emerged victorious with a split decision win, capturing the 185-pound title. Strickland fought well throughout the fight, relying on his effective jab. However, du Plessis' aggression, pressure, and successful takedowns swayed the judges in his favor. It was a disappointing loss for Strickland, whose title reign ended without a successful defense.
Raquel Pennington, a UFC veteran, had a chance to compete for the vacant women's bantamweight belt against Mayra Bueno Silva in the co-main event. Pennington showcased her experience and skills as she secured a unanimous decision victory, claiming the championship title. This win marked Pennington's sixth consecutive win in the UFC, highlighting her talent and determination.
Neil Magny faced off against Mike Malott in a welterweight matchup that seemed to be leaning towards Malott's favor. However, Magny showed tremendous resilience and turned the tide in the later rounds. He secured an unlikely stoppage victory, impressing both fans and critics. This win should solidify Magny's position in the official UFC welterweight rankings.
Chris Curtis, ranked No. 14 in the official UFC middleweight rankings, achieved a split decision victory against Marc-Andre Barriault. Although he didn't live up to his 'Action Man' nickname in the early rounds, Curtis's counter-striking abilities and combinations ultimately earned him the win. This victory opens the door for Curtis to climb up the middleweight rankings in his next outing.
Movsar Evloev faced the higher-ranked Arnold Allen in a featherweight matchup. Known primarily for his wrestling skills, Evloev showcased his striking abilities as well and secured a close decision win. By implementing effective takedowns and striking with power, Evloev limited Allen's offense and staggered him on multiple occasions. With his well-rounded skill set, Evloev could potentially become a contender in the 145-pound title conversation.
Serhiy Sidey and Ramon Taveras, who previously fought on the Dana White Contender Series, delivered an action-packed battle during UFC 297. Both fighters had their moments throughout the three-round fight, leaving fans entertained. In the end, Taveras secured a split decision victory, although he missed weight by almost four pounds. Despite Taveras' weight issue, their outstanding performance merits a potential third fight between the two fighters.
Gillian Robertson, a heavy favorite going into her fight against Polyana Viana, demonstrated her dominance in the octagon. Utilizing her grappling skills, Robertson finished the fight with ground strikes, securing her second TKO win in her career. With this victory, Robertson should expect a step up in competition for her next UFC bout.
Sam Patterson bounced back from a quick knockout loss in his UFC debut with an impressive rear-naked choke submission win over Yohan Lainesse. Patterson, who moved up to welterweight for this fight, showcased his skills and athleticism, earning a decisive victory. He plans on staying in the welterweight division moving forward.
Jasmine Jasudavicius put on a dominant performance against Priscila Cachoeira. Controlling every aspect of the fight, Jasudavicius outstruck and overwhelmed her opponent. The lopsided statistics reflected her dominance, as she landed significantly more strikes, attempted multiple submissions, secured takedowns, and controlled the fight for nearly the entire duration. Jasudavicius' performance earned her a rare 10-7 round from one of the judges.
Jimmy Flick experienced a rough start against Malcolm Gordon, but he bounced back to secure a submission win in the second round. This victory was crucial for Flick, as it broke his two-fight losing streak. It was a solid performance that allowed Flick to regain confidence and get back on track.
The Toronto fans deserve recognition for their unwavering support throughout UFC 297. Having not hosted a UFC event since 2018, the fans showed their enthusiasm by showing up early and cheering loudly for the fighters. Their energy added to the excitement of the event.
On the losing side, Mayra Bueno Silva fell short in her pursuit of the vacant UFC women's bantamweight belt. Despite her efforts, she could not match Pennington's cardio over the course of five rounds. Silva's performance was commendable, but she struggled to maintain the pace required for a championship victory.
Mike Malott seemed poised for victory against Neil Magny but faltered in the third round due to a depleted gas tank. Malott's inability to sustain the pace cost him the fight and halted his potential climb in the UFC welterweight division. This loss will serve as a valuable learning experience for Malott as he moves forward in his MMA career.
Priscila Cachoeira put on a disappointing performance against Jasmine Jasudavicius. Cachoeira, who had previously struggled with weight cuts, forced the fight to be moved to a higher weight class but still failed to deliver. With this lackluster display and her history of missing weight, Cachoeira's future in the UFC could be in jeopardy.
The corner of Priscila Cachoeira should have made the decision to throw in the towel after witnessing their fighter's dominant defeat in the first two rounds. Failing to do so potentially put their fighter at unnecessary risk.
Malcolm Gordon suffered another setback, losing to Jimmy Flick via submission at UFC 297. This loss marked Gordon's third consecutive defeat, and his struggles with weight cuts make his future in the UFC uncertain. Retirement was hinted at by the commentary team, and a release from the promotion seems likely due to Gordon's 2-5 UFC record and consistent weight issues.
In conclusion, UFC 297 delivered an action-packed night of fights in Toronto. The event showcased memorable performances, surprising upsets, and potential title contenders. Each fighter left their mark, whether as winners or losers, and added to the excitement of the night.
