Tired of watching and betting on virtual eSports? Then UFC offers the #reopen relief you need. Dana White and co. have been big proponents of keeping sports alive through the panic-demic and while there have been hiccups, cancellations, and event renamings along the way we can now safely say that UFC 249 is finally upon us. Coming to you live this Saturday night from Jacksonville Florida where sport is an “essential service” Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will square off in the octagon along with some other big matchups for the highly anticipated PPV event. There’s a TON to bet on for this stacked card, so be sure to register to make your wagers and read below for our picks.
Ferguson (26-3-0) is currently enjoying a 12-fight winning streak in one of the (if not the) toughest divisions in the UFC. However, momentum doesn’t hold the same weight as it usually does at this point, as the on-again off-again nature of UFC 249 may weigh heavy on the mind, body, soul, and patience of the 36-year old who will have to win without support of screaming fans in the arena. On paper he has a tough hill to climb too. Gaethje (21-2-0) wins when it comes to Strikes Landed per Minute (8.57 vs 5.71) and Striking Accuracy (55% to 45%) which bodes well for the underdog in what is expected to be a scrappy affair.
Writer’s Prediction
Justin Gaethje pulls off an upset with a KO win over Ferguson.
Henry Cejudo (-210) vs Dominick Cruz (+165)
Bantamweight
33-year old Cejudo (15-2-0) is a solid favorite over the more seasoned Cruz (22-2). For the uninitiated, there’s something you need to know about Cruz – he hasn’t fought in four years due to injury. That said, the 35-year old has already proved twice before he can come back from extended layoffs and has a very good defensive game. He’ll need the latter as Cejudo has a Striking Accuracy of 44% to Cruz’s 31%. Cruz is thinking takedown here, as he boasts a better Takedown Accuracy of 50% to Cejudo’s 35%.
Writer’s Prediction
No upsets here folks, Cejudo beats Cruz by decision.
Francis Ngannou (-280) vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (+210)
Heavyweight
UFC fans are being treated to a look at the future of the UFC heavyweight division this Saturday with a match featuring Francis Ngannou (14-3-0) and Jairzinho Rozenstruik (10-0-0). Rozenstruik may be the underdog but he’s coming in with a 10-fight undefeated streak. What he lacks in experience he more than makes up for in raw and unapologetic power. Ngannou may have an 83″ to 78″ reach advantage over his opponent but his 37% Striking Accuracy doesn’t compare to Rozenstruik’s 46%.
Writer’s Prediction
Rozenstruik extends his undefeated streak to 11 with a one-punch KO upset over Francis Ngannou.
Jeremy Stephens ( +195) vs Calvin Kattar (-255)
Featherweight
Very few expect a Stephens (28-17-0) win in the Featherweight division this Saturday. Kattar (20-4-0) averages 5.12 Strikes Landed per Minute to Stephens’ 3.09 although they have a near-identical accuracy rating. Kattar is a striker with a UFC submission attempt average of 0% so rest-assured that he will look to take Stephens down on his feet.
Writer’s Prediction
Kattar wins by decision.
Greg Hardy (-180) vs Yorgan De Castro (+150)
Heavyweight
Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy (5-2-0 MMA) lines up against Yorgan De Castro (6-0-0 MMA) in the other heavyweight main card. Hardy has a 5-inch height and 6-inch reach advantage over his opponent, and is 15 lbs heavier to boot. Hardy also has more Strikes Landed per Minute at 4.77 to De Castro’s 3.58. De Castro however, is hungry for this matchup. He is the fan favorite over the controversial ex-NFLer and he knows it:
“I wanted to fight Greg Hardy. Not because of all the bad stuff around him, or the hate or the negative things, but because he’s got a name. A lot of people hate him, a lot of people like him, but he does have a name, and he just fought a top guy and he did good. If I want to fight someone who has got a name and a lot of people want to watch and is not ranked, what else is better than Greg Hardy? I specifically asked for him.” (Forbes, May 3, 2020)
Writer’s Prediction
We have yet another upset as De Castro KO’s Hardy.
