UFC 249 Picks
Ready for UFC 249 picks and betting odds & predictions? If everything goes according to plan, this will be the fourth PPV event of the new year, headlined with the lightweight championship between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. The co-main event will be a rematch between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade.
Event: UFC 249: Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2020
Time: Main Card: 10 P.M. EST. Prelims: 8 P.M. EST.
Location: To Be Determined
Broadcast: PPV on ESPN+
Main Card (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Pay-Per-View)
Main Event: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson
Free UFC 249 Picks – This very well could be the most anticipated fight not only in UFC history, but in combat sports history. Khabib will try to cement himself as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. No one can deny his dominance, but his all-time great status remains in question with his toughest opponent in Tony Ferguson waiting in wings. His most recent title defense was a successful one against Dustin Poirier in September of last year, when he won by submission in the third round.
Tony Ferguson will be the challenger here and is getting his long overdue title shot in a fight that was booked and canceled a number of times. His most recent fight was a doctor stoppage win against Donald Cerrone in May.
This fight will be filled with jaw dropping moments, submission attempts, and I would imagine a razor close scorecard. I have trouble betting against Khabib, but Tony Ferguson should never be larger than a +200 underdog, so I will take the value here.
MMA Betting Prediction: Tony Ferguson
Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade
Free UFC 249 Picks – This will be a rematch of what once was a championship fight. Andrade won by head slam knockout in the first bout, but Rose was dominating her for the entirety of the fight prior to the head slam. Andrade’s first and only title defense was a brief one, as Zhang brutally finished her in the first minute of the round.
This is Namajunas’ first bout since she lost her belt and if she wins this, her against current champion Zhang is an interesting fight. I will take Rose here as I do not foresee another head slam or anything awry happening.
MMA Betting Prediction: Rose Namajanas
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Hernandez
Free UFC 249 Picks – Makhachev has been with the UFC since 2015 and has only lost one bout since. He is riding a six fight win streak with the most recent coming against Davi Ramos at UFC 242. The promotion was looking to book him against Kevin Lee, but when that fight de-materialized, Makhachev slated Hernandez.
Hernandez was once pegged as a rising prospect in the 155 pound weight class and received a promotional push when the company moved to ESPN. He fought on the first ESPN card and was the main event on the prelim against Donald Cerrone. He was outclassed in that fight, but rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Francisco Trinaldo.
Since Hernandez’s fight against Trinaldo did not prove much as it was a defensive showing with little ground game, I will take Makhachev here.
MMA Betting Prediction: Islam Makhachev
Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens
Free UFC 249 Picks – This fight is not getting the press it deserves as it is being forseen because of the main event. Although Kattar lost his last bout and Stephens’ has not won in his last four, these two always bring it and this should be a high level bout. Stephens is a pretty hefty underdog, so I will take the value here, but keep an eye on my Twitter @RizzMMA for this one to change.
MMA Betting Prediction: Jeremy Stephens
Prelims on ESPN2
Uriah Hall vs. Ronoldo Souza
MMA Betting Prediction: Hall
Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
MMA Betting Prediction: Good
Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
MMA Betting Prediction: Azaitar
Gian Villante vs. Ben Rothwell
MMA Betting Prediction: Rothwell
Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
MMA Betting Prediction: Moras
Karl Roberson vs. Makhmud Muradov
MMA Betting Prediction: Muradov
Check out our Updated UFC 249 Odds.
