UFC 249 Predictions

It’s been 56 days since a UFC event took place and let me just say, it was a slow 56 days. The coronavirus has really changed day to day life and while it’s obviously not over, a UFC event is really going to make our nights better. Now, I’m not going to agree or disagree with this event taking place but instead I will be viewing this from a neutral standpoint and predict the whole fight card as a fan.

Ryan Spann Vs. Sam Alvey

The early prelims begin with a light heavyweight bout between Ryan Spann and Sam Alvey. This is a great fight and it’s kicking off the early prelims which is incredible. Spann is on a 7 fight streak with his last loss coming to Karl Roberson on the contender series in 2017 but since then, Spann has made significant improvements which is clear if you take a look at his record. Alvey however hasn’t found great success and has lost his last 3 fights. Alvey hasn’t lost by submission since 2010 but I think he’ll take his second submission defeat as Spann makes him submit in the opening round.

Prediction: Ryan Spann (Round 1; Sub)

Bryce Mitchell Vs. Charles Rosa

This is a very exciting featherweight clash actually. Bryce Mitchell is a very exciting young prospect in the featherweight division and Charles Rosa is a name that many MMA fans are already familiar with. This is a big test for Mitchell however I think Mitchell can get the win here and remain undefeated. My prediction is another submission win for Mitchell as he makes Rosa submit in the second round.

Prediction: Bryce Mitchell (Round 2; Sub)

Vincente Luque Vs. Niko Price

The final bout on the early prelims is a highly anticipated welterweight rematch between Vincente Luque and Niko Price. I believe that this could be fight of the night. Last time these two fought was in 2017 when he won with the d’arce choke. This is going to be an absolutely banger of a fight but I’m predicting Luque wins again but this time, I see it going all 3 rounds. Can’t wait for this one.

Prediction: Vincente Luque (Decision)

Uriah Hall Vs. Jacare Souza

The standard prelims begin with Uriah Hall and Jacare Souza. Now, this is one that’s going to be another great fight. It’s a very interesting fight but I don’t see this ending in a finish. I predict it goes all 3 rounds and it really could go either way but I’m giving the edge to Jacare Souza.

Prediction: Jacare Souza (Decision)

Carla Esparza Vs. Michelle Waterson

Onto the first and only women’s fight of the night, Carla Esparza fights Michelle Waterson and this is a great looking fight in my opinion. It’s also a tough fight to predict - remember, these fighters haven’t had proper training camps so you do have to keep that in mind but I’m going to be siding with Michelle Waterson here and I’m predicting she gets a unanimous decision victory.

Prediction: Michelle Waterson (Decision)

Aleksei Oleinik Vs. Fabricio Werdum

It’s absolutely crazy how a fight like this is on the prelims. This is Fabrico Werdum’s first fight in over 2 years and it’s not an easy fight whatsoever as he takes on submission-master, Aleksei Oleinik. I hardly ever go against Oleinik in predictions but it’s such a hard fight to predict! I’m torn between a Werdum stoppage or an Oleinik submission but I’m going to give Werdum my prediction.

Prediction: Fabricio Werdum (3; TKO)

Cowboy Cerrone Vs. Anthony Pettis

Wow. This is on the prelims - that is crazy. Cowboy Cerrone literally headlined a Vegas card in his last fight just 4 months ago and here he is on the prelims. Crazy how times change. This is a highly anticipated rematch from their 2013 encounter were Pettis won with a swift liver kick. I’m honestly going to predict a stoppage win for Showtime Pettis here as I think both men have endured damage through their career but I think Cowboy is easier to finish here and he is a slow starter compared to somebody as flashy as Pettis. I’m saying Pettis wins in the first round which I kinda hope doesn’t happen as that means Cowboy would be on a 4 fight losing streak with his last 3 being in the first round but that’s MMA for you.

Prediction: Anthony Pettis (Round 1; TKO)

Greg Hardy Vs. Yorgan De Castro

We’re now on the main card now and we begin with fan favourite, Greg Hardy fighting 6-0 Yorgan De Castro. I’m actually going to back De Castro here as I think he’s a better fighter and I’m honestly predicting a first round stoppage for De Castro. This will be very surprising but I do think it’s realistic.

Prediction: Yorgan De Castro (Round 1; TKO)

Jeremy Stephens Vs. Calvin Kattar

This fight may be fight of the night - I’ve loved this fight on paper ever since it was announced. This is a very exciting featherweight fight and Stephens does have the tools to pull it off however I’m backing Kattar to get the win in this one. I’m saying Kattar gets it done in the second round.

Prediction: Calvin Kattar (Round 2; TKO)

Francis Ngannou Vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Holy smokes! What a fight this could be. I’m getting flashbacks from the hype to Ngannou Vs. Lewis but honestly, I think this is going to be so much better - this will not leave the first round. I did say that before the Lewis fight but I can’t imagine this leaving the first round. Ngannou and Rozenstruik can both hit like a truck and it really is who can land a punch first but I think Ngannou’s experience will get him the win here (yes, Rozenstruik may have fought in MMA before Ngannou but Ngannou has had more fights). I’m predicting Ngannou wins with a first round TKO.

Prediction: Francis Ngannou (Round 1; TKO)

Henry Cejudo (C) Vs. Dominick Cruz (UFC Bantamweight Championship)

This is a very interesting bantamweight championship fight as you have the bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo fighting the possible bantamweight goat, Dominick Cruz. Cruz has shown in the past that ring rust doesn’t bother him nor does it effect him however this has been his longest break between a fight therefore we may see the ring rust. Not to mention, Cejudo is an excellent fighter all round and I usually bet against Cejudo, I betted against him when it came to the Johnson rematch, the Dillashaw fight and even the Moraes fight however I’m now going to predict Cejudo gets the win and possibly even gets a stoppage in the later rounds? Just to be safe, I’m saying he gets a decision victory to remain bantamweight champion.

Prediction: Henry Cejudo (Decision)

Tony Ferguson Vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC Interim Lightweight Championship)

What a main event this is. Two of the most violent fighters are coming face to face and it’s safe to say, that there will be blood. I’m predicting that this will be the fight with the most knockdowns in UFC history. This will be an absolute war and either man can win but with that being said, I’m going to side with Tony Ferguson here. He’s on a 12 fight win streak and I think he’ll extend that as he gets the win in the later rounds with a possible submission win.

Prediction: Tony Ferguson (Round 4; Sub)