A blagger's guide to UFC 249

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  • Tony Ferguson is universally regarded as next in line for a UFC lightweight title shot

    With lockdown gripping the planet, one thing in seriously short supply has been live sport.

    Now, we are not questioning the gravity of the current Coronavirus pandemic, but while people around the world are holed up at home, one of the things many are missing is their fix of sporting action.

    Against all odds, this weekend UFC 249 takes place as pretty much the only show in town.

    With that will come the obvious regular following, but we can also expect an influx of new armchair fans just wanting to get their eyes on some live sport.

    Not ones to sit by without an opinion, sports fans always need to be able to spout ‘knowledge’ about what’s going on in front of them – however ill-advised that might be.

    So for those in that category, here is the blagger’s guide to UFC 249’s main card.

    Tony Ferguson v Justin Gaethje (Interim UFC Lightweight title fight)

    First of all, this is not the fight that should be taking place. The 25-3 Ferguson, who is on a 12-fight win streak should have been taking on the current lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, but with flight bans and the champ back home in Dagestan, that isn’t happening.

    It’s a shame because if anyone deserves a tilt at the gold it is El Cucuy. His last seven opponents have been left in a meme-worthy bloody mess thanks to his unpredictable offence that come at you from all angles. Equally well versed with his hands, feet, elbows, and on the ground Ferguson is an absolute weapon of a human being.

    Gaethje is something of an enigma. Arriving in the UFC in 2017 with a big reputation and an undefeated record, two losses in his first three bouts quickly derailed the standout brawler.

    He still only has half a dozen UFC fights under his belt, all of them finishing via KO or TKO, but is constantly talked of in the upper echelons of the division. Hugely entertaining, Gaethje is not in the Octagon to ask questions, he is there to swing for the fences early – sometimes to his detriment.

    Sensible money suggests another Ferguson win, once again in pretty bloody fashion, but if Gaethje can land a bomb things can change very quickly.

    Expect Ferguson to get his shot at gold once Khabib can fly again.

    Henry Cejudo v Dominic Cruz (UFC Bantamweight title fight)

    On the face of things Henry Cejudo is a stud. Actually, no, Henry Cejudo is a stud. An Olympic gold medal winning wrestler, and former two-division world champion his record speaks for itself. In fact, his tenure as 125lb champ in the UFC only ended when he was forced to vacate the title. What’s not to love about this all-American hero, right?

    Not quite. The ‘little guys’ in UFC have often been looked over, pun intended, and it would seem the Phoenix native is doing all he can to ensure that doesn’t happen to him.

    The result has been an almost regal persona, requesting people ‘bend the knee’, and generally rubbing folk the wrong way with a manner so obnoxiously false the cringe levels have been off the scale. A 9-2 record in the UFC, 15-2, overall, coupled with his past accomplishments, and you know he is a legit fighter – just expect most watching this weekend to be cheering every time he gets punched in the face.

    Dominick Cruz on the other hand is just someone who oozes class, and were it not for a couple of horrendous injuries could easily be in the conversation of the best pound-for-pounders of all time.

    For him to have fought just four times since the back end of 2011 has robbed us of one of MMA’s real talents.

    Despite the layoffs, he has still been the 135lbs king, and many would love to see him return the throne.

    A cerebral operator, his in-ring hiatus has paved the way for a brilliant stint on colour commentary and TV analysis. He has the tools, particularly his incredible footwork and laser-guided striking, to solve the Cejudo puzzle, but it won’t be easy.

    Hearts will say Cruz, but heads Cejudo. Three and a half years outside the Octagon might just be too much for Cruz.

    Francis Ngannou v Jairzinho Rozenstruik

    If you need a bathroom break, or time to fill up a glass, this is not the time to do it, these two are in the removing heads from necks business.

    Between them, the pair have 27 pro bouts under their belts (Rozenstruik 10-0, Ngannou 14-3), with a combined total of 17 first round KOs. MMA does not pay by the hour.

    These are two huge men, and when they hit you, you stay hit.

    Ngannou has a reputation for eviscerating your soul, just ask Alistair Overeem, with the 4-0 in the UFC Rozenstruik building a similarly fearsome reputation.

    Ngannou was schooled by current heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic and lost a decision to Derrick Lewis for his only two UFC losses but three notable first round wins since show he is still a force.

    Rozenstruick has knocked over two legends in his most recent outings in Andrei Arlovski and Overeem, and win for either man would put them right in title contention.

    In a battle of two terrifying men, whoever lands cleanly first likely wins.

    Jeremy Stephens v Calvin Catter

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    For those who have seen Conor McGregor smack talk videos, it was Jeremy Stephen to whom the Irishman was inquiring the identity of in a famous press conference (Language warning on link).

    To be remembered solely for this would be unfair on the American veteran of 45 fights who demands respect for his tenacious style and longevity at the top level – he has been in the UFC since 2007.

    His record is something of a patchwork quilt of wins and losses (28-17 overall) but the names on there are some of the very best in the business. With no wins in his last four outings , he is very much seen as a gatekeeper at 145lbs.

    The man looking to open the gate on this occasion is Calvin Catter. Ranked ninth in the featherweight division, two spots below Stephens, Catter is coming off a loss to the excellent Zabit Magomedsharipov, and a win over Stephens would get his foot back on the ladder.

    The chances are this will be another one where some serious leather is thrown, with Catter needing to be on the right side of the result.

    Greg Hardy v Yorgan De Castro

    For former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy, his life outside the Octagon often overshadows what goes on inside it – we will let you read more about that yourselves.

    To be fair, what has gone on inside the Octagon is nothing to write home about, two wins against average opponents in his five UFC outings isn’t going to get the pulse racing.

    De Castro in an alum from Dana White’s Contender Series, a reality-style show looking for upcoming talent, and holds a steady 6-0 pro record without any standout names on it.

    The first fight on the PPV card, in an empty arena, this one could easily go under the radar. The winner can claim some kind of relevancy in the heavyweight division, the loser can’t.

    Fans in the Middle East can watch UFC 249 at https://ufcarabia.com/

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