UFC 297 LIVE: Strickland vs Du Plessis fight updates and results tonight
Re-live updates from the middleweight title fight, as well as a clash for the vacant women’s bantamweight belt
Dricus Du Plessis took the middleweight title from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 on Saturday, beating the controversial American via split decision.
Strickland won the belt from Israel Adesanya in September, in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, but his first defence was an unsuccessful one.
Du Plessis entered the main event on the back of a surprise TKO of former champion Robert Whittaker last July, and although the South African failed to replicate that explosive performance, he just did enough to emerge victorious.
After five rounds, the judges’ scorecards read 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 in favour of Du Plessis, though the result could easily have gone the other way.
In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington beat Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision to win the vacant women’s bantamweight title. Re-live updates and see all the results from UFC 297 below.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round five
Sharp jabs by Pennington. Silva is tired. This fight is Pennington’s for the taking – the title is hers for the taking.
But she closes range again, when she was succeeding at range...
Still, she secures a takedown and is in half-guard. Now she’s into mount, working on an arm-triangle...
Silva gives the referee a thumbs-up... Pennington would have an easier job finishing this from side mount, but she seemingly doesn’t want to give up her regular mount.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round four
Silva overcommits with her weight and slips off. Pennington ends up in the Brazilian’s guard, raining down punches.
Silva is thinking about an armbar... now a triangle choke... Hard hammer fists by Pennington, though!
More hard strikes from the American! She had a tough start in this fight but has gradually taken over, for the most part.
One round to go.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round four
Into the championship rounds. Pennington with a hard shot to start the fourth frame!
She closes range again and grapples Silva against the fence. The crowd boos heavily.
Silva with some nice elbows, and she reverses the position. She’s got one hook, with her right leg, as she looks for a trip.
She manages to take the back and drag down Pennington, and she’s going for the rear naked choke again!
Once more, Pennington has her chin in, so she’s surviving for now...
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round three
A good spell for Silva, who lands a series of effective elbows.
Pennington defends a takedown and ends up in half-guard, working on a guillotine...
It’s not quite available, and Pennington stands, kicking the legs of Silva.
The referee asks Silva to stand. She looks exhausted. Another clinch, and each fighter buries hooks into the body of the other.
Pennington with a takedown, and she’s in closed guard. Good strikes from on top.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round three
Hard outside low kick by Silva. She grabs Pennington and forces her back to the fence. Knees to the body by Silva.
Pennington reverses the position, but Silva then does the same. Pennington with a series of knees to the leg of Silva.
Silva with a knee to the body. Pennington goes for a trip, but Silva does a good job of regaining her balance. Now the Brazilian tries for a D’Arce!
But it’s on the chin, and Pennington is able to slip out.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round two
Good spell from Pennington! She stuns Silva with a couple of right hands, then chases her and lands an elbow!
She’s smothering Silva, though! Why is she grappling??
Silva is able to get the better of the exchange, slipping behind and taking the back!
She’s hanging off Pennington and trying for a rear naked choke! She’s only got it on the chin, however, and she soon gives up.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round two
Good calf kick from Silva. Pennington lands a series of jabs. Silva closes range and grapples Pennington against the fence, to the sound of boos.
Pennington is able to create some space and get off some more good shots, but Silva grabs another Thai clinch and fires off elbows and body punches.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round one
Silva takes the back with ease! She’s working on a rear naked choke. Pennington is fighting the hands. She stands.
Eventually Silva gives up on the choke, but the Brazilian is able to drag down the American.
Good punches from behind by Silva, who then tries for the rear naked choke.
Pennington survives to the buzzer.
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Round one
Both fighters stand orthodox. Silva kicks low, Pennington with a flurry of punches upstairs, then a body kick.
Silva goes southpaw. Pennington grabs a single-leg and forces Silva back to the fence. Silva is able to neutralise her, as the pair clinch.
Pennington holds Silva against the cage. Nice elbows from Silva. Silva reverses the position and gets a takedown!
UFC 297 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Five five-minute rounds scheduled here. Let’s go!
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