UFC 249 predictions and betting odds with Tony Ferguson odds-on favourite to beat Justin Gaethje in main event thriller
UFC 249 is finally upon us with a stacked fight card after overcoming a number of obstacles.
After the coronavirus caused the original event to be scrapped at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last month, Dana White has finally got the all-clear to get his stars back in the Octagon.
It will be the first major sporting event to take place following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Now they have the green light, UFC will now host three shows in eight days in Jacksonville, Florida.
And those look set to be followed by a series of pay-per-views held on White’s specially constructed “Fight Island”.
But it all gets underway this Saturday night with a number of blockbuster bouts, and Sun Sport is here to bring you the very latest odds from Betfair ahead of it in case you fancied a flutter:
Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje
Ex-interim lightweight champ Ferguson is aiming to become a two-time interim title holder in the main event.
He is the No.1-ranked fighter in the rankings and is currently tied with Khabib Nurmagomedov for the longest active winning streak in the UFC lightweight division with 12 consecutive victories.
Gaethje (4-2), who was 17-0 before signing with the UFC, is No.4 in the 155-pound weight class and has produced three straight first round knockouts.
Odds
Outcome: Ferguson – 4/7 Gaethje – 13/8
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Method of victory:
Ferguson by KO TKO or DQ – 13/5
Ferguson by Dec / Tech Dec – 15/2
Ferguson by Submission – 3/1
Gaethje by KO TKO or DQ – 11/5
Gaethje by Dec / Tech Dec – 15/1
Gaethje by Submission – 39/1
Draw or Technical Draw – 79/1
Prediction: Gaethje may be the underdog in this fight but quite a few will be backing him to upset the odds.
Ferguson has been rocked several times in the past but never knocked out.
But we believe that could finally happen this weekend in a big shock.
Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz
Former flyweight champion and current bantamweight title holder Cejudo is the favourite for this one.
The 34-year-old is odds-on to overcome Cruz in Saturday’s co-main event.
Odds
Outcome: Cejudo – 1/2 Cruz – 2/1
Prediction: Cejudo is the clear favourite, and after Cruz’s long lay-off and history of injuries, we cannot see any other outcome.
The star is on a five-fight winning streak and knocked off Wilson Reis, Sergio Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw, and Marlon Moraes in the process.
And we fully expect him to add Cruz’s name to that list.
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Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Ngannou takes a three-fight winning streak and knows another one should land him another title shot.
The star is ranked only behind Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier in the heavyweight division, with Rozenstruik fifth.
Therefore, this showdown is essentially a heavyweight title eliminator.
Odds
Outcome: Ngannou – 2/5 Rozenstruik – 5/2
Prediction: Do not expect this one to go the distance.
With neither man a fan of grappling, this one should be a stand up fight, so betting on it to go the distance does not appear to be wise.
We are going with “The Predator” Ngannou to win by KO.