UFC 297 showcases an exciting middleweight title fight between current champ Sean Strickland and second-ranked Dricus Du Plessis. Bettors can tune into the event on Saturday, January 20 at 10:00 PM ET for the main card in Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. Strickland is currently a moneyline favorite at -125.

Strickland has won his last three fights as he prepares for this showdown. His most recent victory was quite impressive in the previous title fight, which was a unanimous decision over Israel Adesanya back at UFC 293 in September of last year.

His fighting resume shows 28 wins that consist of 11 knockouts, four submissions, and 13 decisions. Nine of his 28 wins have resulted in first round finishes, while three of his five defeats have come by decision.

“Tarzan” is striking his opposition 42 percent of the time and landing 64 percent of his takedowns. He lands 5.82 significant strikes each minute and takes on 4.24, showing that he has a positive, yet aggressive significant strike ratio.

Strickland is averaging 0.92 takedowns and 0.20 submissions per 15 minutes of fight time. He also defends well against significant strikes at 63 percent and against takedowns at 84 percent.

Du Plessis has won his last eight fights heading into this showdown. His last performance was a second round TKO against Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July of last year.

His work inside the octagon has been 20 wins so far, with nine knockouts, 10 submissions, and one decision. Eight of his 20 triumphs have ended in the first round. In addition, he has one loss each by knockout and submission.

“Stillknocks” lands 56 percent of his strikes and 50 percent of his takedowns. He has an aggressive significant strike output with 6.95 strikes landed and 3.79 strikes absorbed, which might be the difference in this fight.

Du Plessis lands 2.72 takedowns and 1.09 submissions per 15 minutes of fight time. His defense is slightly less appealing, as he defends against significant strikes and takedowns at 53 and 40 percent, respectively.

MyBookie offers the betting odds for this showdown, currently offering Sean Strickland as a slight favorite to succeed (-125). Both fighters have a tremendous amount of success on their resumes heading into this fight, which means this should be one of the best fights on the card.

A striking war is bound to ensue, as both fighters put up an aggressive significant strike output. This could arguably go either way depending on who defends best here, but Du Plessis is seeming to be the more appealing pick on paper with his striking in comparison to Strickland’s output.