Ferguson vs Gaethje UFC 249 betting tips, odds & predictions

UFC 249 Main Card betting preview

All eyes turn to the main card at UFC 249 as we are only a couple of sleeps away from top-flight MMA action returning to our television screens.

This Sunday (AEST) in Jacksonville, Florida, the 10 fighters on the top card will take on some of the biggest bouts of their careers, especially Main Event stars Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

We have already covered the top five fighters to watch at UFC 249 and previewed the full card, but now we are going to get stuck into the big ones.

UFC 249 Main Card fights

Main Event Lightweight – Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje
Bantamweight Title Bout – Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz
Heavyweight – Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Featherweight – Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar
Heavyweight – Greg Hardy vs Yorgan De Castro

Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje UFC 249 betting tips

Explosive power and speed keep both of these elite fighters in contention at all times, making Sunday’s headliner one you cannot afford to miss.

Tony Ferguson has won his last 12 bouts and comfortably sits behind only Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC Lightweight rankings, but Justin Gaethje has the potential to end any fight with a ridiculous hit.

We love the matchup and everything it brings to the octagon. Ferguson is the man, in our eyes, as he controls the arena better and has the slight advantage in experience.

Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz UFC 249 betting tips

When it comes to accolades and discussions surrounding the best fighters in UFC history, both these guys sit somewhere in the mix.

If you think Henry Cejudo is going to have an easy time defending his belt, you may be in for a shock. Dominick Cruz hasn’t fought since December 2016, but he has previously won a fight after a three-year break.

Both bantamweight stars will live on in the history books when all is said and done, but Cejudo is going to be an icon after he defends his belt here. His wrestling background makes him too difficult to stop.

Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik UFC 249 betting tips

Someone will be knocked to the canvas – that is basically a guarantee whenever Francis Ngannou or Jairzinho Rozenstruik enter the octagon.

Sitting as a perfect lead-in to the main events, this heavyweight bout will be filled with massive strikes from two of the most powerful hitters in the business.

UFC bookmakers have Ngannou as the favourite here after his recent first-round victories, but Rozenstruik is 10-0 and dangerous.

We see the big man from France getting the victory here due to his boxing background, which will be extremely useful against an opponent who is yet to attempt a takedown on the big stage.

Francis Ngannou to Win by KO/TKO @ $1.75 with Ladbrokes

Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar UFC 249 betting tips

Choosing between these two fighters is like flipping a coin, so there is a fair chance this could end being the fight of the night.

There are few fighters more experienced than Jeremy Stephens, who has 28 wins from his 45 career fights. Alas, his tally of 17 defeats is a UFC record.

Calvin Kattar is 20-4 and was unlucky to lose by decision to Zabit Magomedsharipov in Russia, as he dominated the final round of the fight. Kattar has excellent knockout potential and will be a threat when in close.

This is one of the few fights on the main card that is likely to go the distance, in which case Kattar will have accumulated more points over the five rounds.

Greg Hardy vs Yorgan De Castro UFC 249 betting tips

The first fight of the main card is one filled with unpredictability and excitement – our favourite type of UFC bout.

Greg Hardy has swapped codes from American football to fight in the octagon, while Yorgan De Castro has been a fighter his whole life and has upset favourites in the past.

De Castro is going to be a very capable heavyweight fighter if he can continue to win matches with big hits, which is what we expect him to do this weekend.