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After shocking the world by dethroning Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, Sean Strickland is ready to defend the UFC middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 on January 20. The fight in Canada airs on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S.

Strickland had a Fighter of the Year-like 2023, going 3-0 after losing two straight against Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier. On a streak where he headlined multiple cards, it is the first time Strickland is a true leading man at a UFC event. Known for making controversial statements, even Strickland believes du Plessis went too far with his latest jab at the champion.

du Plessis is on an eight-fight win streak, his last contest a TKO win against former champion Robert Whittaker. The South African got into a lot of trouble when he brought up Strickland's history with his father. Strickland attacked him in the crowd at UFC 296 as a result. “Stillknocks” does not regret what he said. He believes it is all part of the fight game. 

"There's no hard feelings," Du Plessis said on the "Coach & The Casual” show via Sports Illustrated. "I still have the world's respect for Sean Strickland. He's a real man, I said it, and he showed that last night. I mean, he stood up for himself, and he did what he ⎯ you know, that's what a real man does. He stuck up for himself. Listen, did he behave like a champion? Probably not, but at the end of the day, champion or not, we are fighters. We are not football players, and we are not sprinters. We are fighters. It's in our DNA.”

WATCH: UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis, exclusively on ESPN+

The co-main event will be Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. Pennington is on a five-fight win streak, while Silva just had a win overturned after testing positive for ADHD medication.

The Sporting News will provide all you need to know about this event, from time, channel, and card.

What time is UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis today?

The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Strickland and du Plessis should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

Region Date Early Prelims Start Time Prelims Start Time Main Card Start Time Main Event Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (ET) Saturday, January 20 6 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET 10 p.m. ET 12:15 a.m. ET
USA and Canada (PT) Saturday, January 20 3 p.m. PT 5 p.m. PT 7 p.m. PT 9:15 p.m. PT 
UK and Ireland Sunday, January 21 11 p.m. GMT 1 a.m. GMT 3 a.m. GMT 5:15 a.m. GMT
Australia Sunday, January 21 10 a.m. AEDT 12 p.m. AEDT 2 p.m. AEDT 4:15 p.m. AEDT

How to watch UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis

UFC 297 will air exclusively on pay-per-view. Here's how you can watch the event in your country.

Country Date Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States Saturday, January 20 ESPN+, ESPN PPV
Canada Saturday, January 20 BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel,  Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass
United Kingdom Sunday, January 21 TNT Sports, TNT Sports Box Office
Australia Sunday, January 21 Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass

Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis PPV price: How much does UFC 297 cost? 

    In the U.S., the UFC 297 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 297 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $134.98 for the UFC 297 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.

    In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.

    WATCH: UFC 297: Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis, exclusively on ESPN+

    Product Prices
    ESPN+ Monthly Subscription $10.99/mo
    ESPN+ Annual Subscription $109.99/yr
    The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported $14.99/mo
    The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads $24.99/mo
    UFC PPV Standalone $79.99 each
    UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) $134.98, then $109.99/year
    UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle

    $79.99, then $14.99/mo

    Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.

    UFC 297 full card

    Main card

    • Sean Strickland (c) vs. Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title
    • Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva for the UFC bantamweight title
    • Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott; Welterweights
    • Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; Middleweights
    • Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev; Featherweights

    Prelims

    • Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield; Bantamweights
    • Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson; Featherweights
    • Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras; Bantamweights
    • Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana; Strawweights

    Early Prelims

    • Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson; Welterweights
    • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Priscila Cachoeira; Flyweights
    • Malcolm Gordon vs. Jimmy Flick; Flyweights

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    Author(s)
    Daniel Yanofsky Photo

    Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

    You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.