January 21, 2024
The UFC 297 event delivered a night of electrifying action and unforeseen twists. Here’s a recap of the event’s standout moments:
Neil Magny’s Stunning Comeback
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, seasoned welterweight Neil Magny staged a remarkable comeback against Canada’s rising star, Mike Malott. Magny weathered 12.5 minutes of intense combat before extinguishing Malott’s momentum in the closing seconds of the fight. Despite entering as the second-biggest underdog at +290, Magny showcased resilience, securing a last-minute turnaround.
Despite Malott’s dominance in the initial rounds, Magny executed a ground reversal late in Round 3, exposing Malott’s exhaustion. Seizing top position, Magny unleashed a relentless flurry of punches, prompting the referee to intervene with a mere 15 seconds left, securing Magny an unexpected Hail Mary victory.
This triumph propelled Magny to 29-11, extending multiple UFC records, including most welterweight wins (22), most welterweight bouts (32), and most significant strikes landed in welterweight history. Malott’s record shifted to 10-2-1, ending a six-fight winning streak.
Other Memorable Bouts
In additional matchups, Dricus Du Plessis secured a split decision victory over Sean Strickland (47-48, 48-47, 48-47). Raquel Pennington triumphed over Mayra Bueno Silva with a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45). Chris Curtis clinched a split decision win against Marc-Andre Barriault (30-27, 28-29, 30-27). Movsar Evloev emerged victorious over Arnold Allen with a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Tough Night for Canada
The Toronto crowd witnessed a challenging night, with male Canadian fighters going 0-7 at UFC 297. Even adopted English fighter Arnold Allen, associated with Montreal’s Tristar Gym, faced defeat. However, Canada’s female fighters, Jasmine Jasudavicius and Gillian Robertson, secured wins, preventing a clean sweep.
UFC 297 unfolded as an evening of thrilling contests and unforeseen outcomes, reinforcing the UFC’s position as the premier organization in mixed martial arts.
