UFC 249 happens this weekend with Tony Fergusson meeting last-minute replacement Justin Gaethje in the main event. Considering the 31-year-old is a replacement, it comes to no surprise that he is the underdog against Fergusson. But then again, the 33-year-old fighter who has not lost the past eight years cannot take Gaethje lightly.
Per oddsmakers, Fergusson is a slight favorite over Gaethje this Saturday at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Such hardly comes as a surprise. Most will recall that Fergusson's original opponent was Khabib Nurmagomedov. But the COVID-19 outbreak prevented the Russian from competing, singling out how travel restrictions were in place. Fergusson was one of the many critics who felt The Eagle could have found ways to face him at UFC 249 had he wanted to.
Considering that Fergusson has prepared for the fight originally scheduled in April along is a big advantage. But he is facing someone who has been devastating in his last three fights. Gaethje has won all of them in the first round. But the difference is that he had ample time to prepare for them.
Despite the advantage that Fergusson had, the American mixed martial artist seems to lose. He issued an unusual request to the veteran. He hopes that Fergusson would break his nose so that he can have it repaired. It turns out that Gaethje has been bothered by it and has been having a hard time breathing through his nose. With the physicality that the UFC 249 main event is expected to deliver, that wish could be easily granted.
For Fergusson, it is all about winning his UFC 249 assignment. A loss would be devastating on his end, given that he has had more than enough time to prepare. He is also motivated to finish off Gaethje with Nurmagomedov on his mind. A big win would be a huge statement sent to The Eagle, someone who is expected to be among the many viewers on pay-per-view.
Fergusson has not done bad either in his last 12 fights. He has not suffered a loss in eight years but those were plagued by injuries. One thing he is likely to do is to try and wear out Gaethje. If he can get past the first round, he is more likely to win since he is in better shape compared to his 31-year-old adversary. Still, Gaethje has a golden chance to pull off an upset. He has shown his explosiveness, something that the Fergusson camp has already reviewed by now.
