The UFC is back!!! After weeks of uncertainty, we are finally getting some good old-fashioned cage fighting. While these fights might not have the ideal circumstances, we're getting some pretty sick cards. UFC 249 has about nine main event caliber bouts throughout the card. So let's give our picks and some predictions.
MAIN CARD (PPV)
Interim Lightweight Title Bout
Tony 'El Cucuy' Ferguson Vs. Justin 'The Highlight' Gaethje
This has Fight of the Year written all over it. This matchup promises pure violence and chaos. Both guys have the tools to end the fight—Justin early, Tony in the later rounds. Both like to push the pace, but get hit more than they should. That’s why they’re the main event. Very much a 50/50 fight.
Who will bleed first? Will it go to the ground? How good is Justin's jiu-jitsu? Can Tony take Justin's shots?
The winner of this fight gets a shot at Khabib for the Lightweight strap.
Joseph’s Pick: Ferguson by TKO
Ryan’s Pick: Gaethje KO
Bantamweight Title Bout
Henry 'Triple C' Cejudo Vs. Dominick Cruz
Henry Cejudo’s first title defense at 135 has had its controversy, especially when it was gonna be versus Jose Aldo Jr. His new challenger is a familiar face at Bantamweight—Dominick Cruz.
We really want Cruz to win, and he very well could. We just think Triple C will end up getting ahold of Cruz, and being too much to handle, especially after the layoff. Yes, Cruz beat TJ after years off, but that was a razor thin fight.
This fight is for Bantamweight GOAT status.
Joseph’s Pick: Cejudo by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Cejudo by decision
Heavyweight Bout
Francis 'The Predator' Ngannou Vs. Jairzinho 'Bigi Boy' Rozenstruik
The people’s main event. This is a classic clash of Heavyweight titans—two giants with KO power in each hand locked in a cage.
We love both of these guys, but Francis is the future champion at HW, and is on a mission for his rematch with Stipe. We don’t see this fight going passed the first round.
Joseph’s Pick: Francis by KO
Ryan’s Pick: Francis by KO
Featherweight Bout
Jeremy 'Lil Heathen' Stephens Vs. Calvin 'The Boston Finisher' Kattar
Joseph’s Pick: Kattar by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Kattar by decision
Heavyweight Bout
Greg Hardy Vs. Yorgan De Castro
Joseph’s Pick: De Castro by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Hardy by TKO
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN)
Welterweight Bout
Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone Vs. Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis
Joseph’s Pick: Pettis by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Pettis by decision
Heavyweight Bout
Alexey 'The Boa Constrictor' Oleynik Vs. Fabrício 'Vai Cavalo' Werdum
Joseph’s Pick: Werdum by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Werdum by decision
Strawweight Bout
Carla 'Cookie Monster' Esparza Vs. 'The Karate Hottie' Michelle Waterson
Joseph’s Pick: Waterson by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Esparza by decision
Welterweight Bout
Vicente 'The Silent Assassin' Luque Vs. Niko 'The Hybrid' Price (14-3)
Joseph’s Pick: Luque by TKO
Ryan’s Pick: Luque by TKO
EARLM PRELIM CARD (ESPN+)
Featherweight Bout
Bryce' Thug Nasty' Mitchell Vs. Charles Rosa
Joseph’s Pick: Mitchell by decision
Ryan’s Pick: Mitchell by TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout
Ryan 'Superman' Spann Vs. 'Smilin'' Sam Alvey
Joseph’s Pick: Alvey by KO
Ryan’s Pick: Spann by TKO
