Welcome to another edition of Payout Perspective. This time we look at UFC 297 from Toronto, Canada.
DDP takes title from Strickland
Dricus du Plessis won a split decision victory over Sean Strickland to take the UFC Middleweight title from the champion. Despite it being a close fight (one in which Dana White thought Strickland won) DDP won via wrestling and winning the exchanges with Strickland. The two fought a professional fight although the public fight in the crowd a month earlier. Strickland was gracious in defeat although, as one might expect, believed he won the fight.
It is the South African’s first title and the promotion highlighted the fact that there were (well, at least one) watch parties in his native country to watch him early in the morning.
As for what’s next, one can see a fight with Israel Adesanya. However, Adesanya indicated that he was taking an extended time off from the Octagon. If not Izzy, there’s Khazmat Chimaev who has lobbied for the next shot. It would present an interesting matchup in styles with DDP’s wrestling versus Chimaev’s striking. There is also a rematch between the two fighters. A split decision should almost command a second fight but we will see.
Pennington wins vacant bantamweight title
Its rare to see a long-time UFC veteran earn a title. We saw it with Charles Oliveira and now we see Raquel Pennington earn the women’s bantamweight title over Marya Buena Silva. It looked like the Brazilian would win a quick victory in the early rounds but MBS faded as the rounds went on. Pennington won exchanges and avoided MBS’ ground game to earn the title.
Despite some rumblings that the title fight was not worthy of the belt, Pennington earned it and will likely face Juliana Pena in her first title defense. Of course, now waiting in the wings may be the former champion, Amanda Nunes, who intimated that she may return from retirement and Kayla Harrison who signed with the UFC and will appear at 300.
It was the first return to Toronto since UFC 231. White announced that 297 set new records for the highest grossing arena gate in UFC history and Canada with 18,559 in attendance for a gate of $7,898,695. The Performance bonuses went to Canadian Gillian Robertson and Jasmine Jasudavicius for their stoppages on the Prelims. The UFC gave Fight of the Night to Strickland and DDP. All received $50K bonuses.
Pre-Fight Promotion
The UFC ran the altercation in the crowd between Sean Strickland and DDP at UFC 296 as part of a video package to build the fight. Despite criticism about having the two sitting so close to each other during 296, it worked out to build the fight. Strickland apologized to DDP but also stated that he would do something to him if he brought up his childhood. Strickland appeared on Theo Von’s podcast and openly cried about his abusive childhood.
During the UFC 297 press conference Strickland wore a shirt (probably not UFC licensed) which read A Gun in Every Hand and a Woman in Every Kitchen. He was asked by a reporter of his previous social media posts about homosexuals to which Strickland deflected the question. Fair play to ask the question? Of course, since he is there for media. But for those to defend Strickland, he is the one inviting these comments when he wears t-shirts and makes comments about politics. If he were not to speak about these things, it may be somewhat out of line. But, Strikland likes to play the part of the “everyman,” modern day Archie Bunker. Yet, when he is pushed he does what any insecure bully does and deflects and retreats.
Even with the 297 press conference dustup, Strickland was a fan favorite. He was the spotlight of the Embedded series as he prepared for the showdown with DDP.
Sponsors
The sponsors in the cage include Bud Light, Budweiser also with signage on the mat, Crypto.com, VeChain, DraftKings, Thorne, Howler Head, Monster.com, Kudo Protein Popcorn, Prime, Aviator, Skilled Traders College and the video game Tekken 8.
Aviator put up this promo for it advertising its appearance at UFC 297. Of course, Monster was in the middle of the Octagon.
The Fighter Prep Point went to Skilled Traders College.
VeChain sponsored both the UFC Middleweight and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship tale of the tape.
Odds and ends
With both title fights going the full 5 rounds the PPV telecast went longer than usual and went past 10pm PT.
During one of the fights an “F— Trudeau” chant broke out for some reason.
During the post-fight press conference, Dana White emphasized that he does not censor fighters like Sean Strickland and they have the freedom to say whatever they want.
It was announced during the PPV that Frankie Edgar would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
The Prelims scored over 1 million viewers which is a good sign for the PPV. The NFL Playoffs aired during the same time frame which may have detracted some casual viewers. The UFC sold the fight based on the rivalry between the Strickland and DDP highlighting Strickland starting a fight with him in the crowd at UFC 296. Although the two had put the fight aside and we saw the two shake hands during a UFC Embedded. With the UFC’s right-leaning crowd, Strickland was a fan favorite and perhaps moving the needle for UFC PPVs. The loss stops his momentum and its still too early to decide if fans like DDP or not. With that being written, a PPV buy rate of 225,000 would seem appropriate for the first fight of 2024.
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