South African Fighter Ettiene Du Plessis Makes History as UFC Champion

TORONTO — The UFC created history over the weekend as South African fighter Ettiene Du Plessis became the first champion from the region. In a thrilling main event at UFC 297 held at the Scotiabank Arena, Du Plessis dethroned Brendan Strickland in a bloody and back-and-forth battle. The split decision verdict (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) favored Du Plessis, although it easily could have swung in Strickland’s favor as well. The newly crowned champion proudly waved the South African flag to celebrate his remarkable achievement.

Meanwhile, in the co-main event, the vacant UFC women's bantamweight title found a new owner in an exciting matchup between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington. With Amanda Nunes, the former long-time champion, retiring in June, the division was left without a titleholder. Pennington showcased her resilience throughout the fight, defending numerous submission attempts from Bueno Silva. With a unanimous decision, she emerged as the victor, expressing her gratitude for the challenging journey she had to overcome to reach this point.

The night was filled with intense action and memorable moments, making it a significant event in UFC history. Ettiene Du Plessis’s victory establishes him as a pioneer for South African fighters in the sport, while Raquel Pennington’s triumph secures her place as the new queen of the bantamweight division. UFC 297 proved to be a testament to the resilience, passion, and skill displayed by these exceptional athletes.