Sean Strickland e Mayra Sheetara star in the UFC 297. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
The big moment has arrived. This Saturday (20), at UFC 297, Brazil will have its first title fight in the 2024 season. Unbeatable since arriving at bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), Mayra Sheetara climbed the category and, at the weekend, in front of Rachel Pennington, could go down in MMA history. In the main fight, Sean Strickland debuts in the Octagon as middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg).
Famous for acidic statements, Strickland has strictly followed the playbook of being one of the most unusual champions in the history of Ultimate. The athlete, however, deserved the position he occupies and, at the weekend, he tries to maintain his reign against Dricus Du Plessis.
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In the co-main fight, Mayra Sheetara makes the biggest commitment of his career in MMA. Undefeated in the bantamweight division, the fighter faces the veteran Rachel Pennington.
In addition to Sheetara, Brazil will have two more representatives at the event. Polyana viana and Priscilla Pedrita appear on the preliminary card.
To get into the mood UFC 297, the team of SUPER FIGHTS listed five reasons to attend the event. Check out;
1) Sean Strickland: king or fool?
When he climbed into the Octagon UFC 293, in September of last season, Strickland was the subject of jokes by fans and MMA experts. Before Israel adesanya, one of the best in the history of the category, could the provocative North American who failed at welterweight (up to 77,1kg) succeed? The answer was 'yes'.
Strickland not only surpassed Adesanya but also snatched the Nigerian from the throne categorically, winning without a doubt. Despite the triumph, Sean is far from unanimous and, this Saturday, he will have to prove himself once again.
As the first challenger, the North American will have Dricus Du Plessis, a South African famous for his physical strength and who has enjoyed an impeccable trajectory in Ultimate so far. After weeks of provocations, which included a fight in the audience at the UFC 296, the reckoning has arrived.
Will Strickland prove that he is, in fact, the king of the division? Or will it be proven that he is nothing more than a ‘court jester’?
2) Amanda Nunes' successor
Amanda nunes with the bantamweight and featherweight belts (Photo: Instagram/UFC)
Since mid-2023, the women's bantamweight category has remained without a champion. With the retirement of the legendary Amanda nunes, the UFC, for months, looked for candidates to compete for the vacant title.
After events and more events, Mayra Sheetara e Rachel Pennington were chosen for the difficult task of replacing the best of all time.
On the one hand, Sheetara has a great phase and unbeaten record in the category. On the other, Pennington has octagon experience, which even includes a confrontation against Nunes, valid for the throne, in 2018.
The question is not who will be able to surpass Amanda's legacy, but rather who will make the most impact and entertainment at the top of the category.
3) UFC 297 for Mayra Sheetara
Professional in MMA since 2015, Mayra Sheetara is close to making history in Brazilian MMA. Representative of the country that has already revealed several legends for the sport, the Minas Gerais native from Uberlândia can establish her name among so many idols.
If they beat Pennington over the weekend, Tupiniquim will join a select list. Today, Brazil has three women who have become champions with Ultimate gloves.
The first to accomplish the feat was Amanda nunes, in 2016, winning the bantamweight title. A year later, the also legendary Chris Cyborg took over the featherweight throne (up to 65,7kg.). In 2019, Jessica Pile Driver won flyweight (up to 56,7kg.).
No UFC 297, Sheetara can join the legends and immortalize herself in MMA, not only in Brazil, but worldwide.
4) Fight between featherweights could confirm challenger
arnold allen will face Movsar Evloev No. UFC 297 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)
‘Hidden’ on the main card is a fight that could define the next challenger for the featherweight belt among men. arnold allen, number four in the ranking, will face the undefeated and promising Movsar Evloev.
While the Englishman defends his place in the top-5, the Russian asks for a ticket to the elite of the category.
If he wins, Allen will move closer to the title. Movsar, in addition to the jump in the rankings, starts to dream more closely about becoming a challenger.
5) More Brazil
P. Viana (left) fighting at UFC Vegas 64. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Besides Mayra Sheetara, Brazil has two more representatives at the event.
The last Brazilian to enter the octagon on the preliminary card, Poliana Viana presents herself and seeks to find stability in the organization. The ‘Chute Boxe – Diego Lima’ fighter faces the experienced Gillian robertson.
Famous for her bravery and aggressiveness, Priscilla Pedrita will make her debut in the 2024 season. The fighter will face off against Jasmine Jasudavicius.
UFC 297 technical sheet
Order date: January 20, 2024
Open Hours: From 20:30 pm (Brasília time)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE In real time, UFC Fight Pass (the entire card) online.
MAIN CARD (0pm Brasília time)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Sean Strickland x Dricus Du Plessis – fight for the belt
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Rachel Pennington x Mayra Sheetara – fight for the belt
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Neil Magny x Mike Malott
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Chris Curtis x Marc-Andre Barriault
Featherweight (up to 56,7 kg): arnold allen x Movsar Evloev
PRELIMINARY CARD (20:30 p.m. Brasília time)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Brad Katona x Garrett Armfield
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Charles Jourdain x Sean Woodson
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Serhiy Sidey x Ramon Taveras
Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Gillian robertson x Polyana viana
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Yohan Lainesse x Sam Patterson
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jasmine Jasudavicius x Priscila Pedrita
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Malcolm Gordon x Jimmy Flick
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