Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, Dana White’s @ufc is ploughing on as usual, with a Bantamweight title fight between the champion @HenryCejudo and former two-time champ @DominickCruz, and a Lightweight interim title fight between @Justin_Gaethje and ‘El Cucuy’ @TonyFergusonXT.
The big news so far however comes out of the prelims, as the fight between Uriah Hall and Jacare Souza is OFF after news broke that Souza has tested positive for Coronavirus.
#coronavirus #UFC249
#coronavirus #UFC249
Both the UFC and Florida State Commission insist every precaution has been followed, despite videos circulating of Souza interacting with Fabricio Werdum. Reports state Souza travelled to the event knowing that he had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive.
#UFC249 has already been cancelled once before due to Coronavirus concerns, with @TeamKhabib pulling out of the now 5 times cancelled fight against Tony Ferguson, and @rosenamajunas pulling out of the originally planned co-main against @jessicammapro.
Dana White however insists that #UFC249 will go ahead regardless of the Jacare news, and will continue with his mysterious plans for a #FightIsland for future events.
Now however, it’s time for my previews! Starting with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone vs Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis
Now however, it’s time for my previews! Starting with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone vs Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis
PRELIM MAIN EVENT: Donald Cerrone vs Anthony Pettis (Welterweight)
The strength of this event is demonstrated by putting these two on the undercard! This is a rematch of their Lightweight fight back in 2013, where Pettis scored a first-round stoppage on Cowboy.
The strength of this event is demonstrated by putting these two on the undercard! This is a rematch of their Lightweight fight back in 2013, where Pettis scored a first-round stoppage on Cowboy.
Cerrone:
Cowboy comes into this fight off a devastating 40-second loss to Conor McGregor.
Despite losing the first fight against Pettis the two however, at his more natural Welterweight you’d expect Cerrone to have the size and grappling advantage over Pettis.
Cowboy comes into this fight off a devastating 40-second loss to Conor McGregor.
Despite losing the first fight against Pettis the two however, at his more natural Welterweight you’d expect Cerrone to have the size and grappling advantage over Pettis.
Pettis:
@Showtimepettis similarly faces a losing slump, having lost both fights since his 2019 knockout of ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson
Though the smaller fighter, Pettis is an elite level striker with a granite chin - who demonstrated against Tony Ferguson he is willing to go to war.
@Showtimepettis similarly faces a losing slump, having lost both fights since his 2019 knockout of ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson
Though the smaller fighter, Pettis is an elite level striker with a granite chin - who demonstrated against Tony Ferguson he is willing to go to war.
MAIN CARD FIGHT 1: Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar (Lightweight)
This fight had a huge ? slapped right into the middle of it yesterday morning, when UFC veteran @LiLHeathenMMA failed to make weight by a huge 5 pound gap. Is this a sign of a poor camp? If so Kattar is favourite
This fight had a huge ? slapped right into the middle of it yesterday morning, when UFC veteran @LiLHeathenMMA failed to make weight by a huge 5 pound gap. Is this a sign of a poor camp? If so Kattar is favourite
Kattar:
This fight was predicted to be one of the contenders for Fight of the Night by @NandaPrates_ and Kattar surely plays a large role in that.
An incredibly tough fighter with a solid wrestling background, his only loss in the UFC so far comes against top contender Zabit
This fight was predicted to be one of the contenders for Fight of the Night by @NandaPrates_ and Kattar surely plays a large role in that.
An incredibly tough fighter with a solid wrestling background, his only loss in the UFC so far comes against top contender Zabit
Stephens:
There is very little I can say with regards to Stephens at this point. The guy is a total veteran, a tough as nails fighter, and traditionally a gatekeeper of the 145 pound division.
Now however he’s going to be the hardest hitting, and only, 150 pounder on the card.
There is very little I can say with regards to Stephens at this point. The guy is a total veteran, a tough as nails fighter, and traditionally a gatekeeper of the 145 pound division.
Now however he’s going to be the hardest hitting, and only, 150 pounder on the card.
MAIN CARD FIGHT 2: Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (Heavyweight)
Without jinxing this fight and getting another Ngannou Lewis sleeper - this should be a typical Heavyweight bout: two men with no interest in grappling looking to punch the others head clean off.
Without jinxing this fight and getting another Ngannou Lewis sleeper - this should be a typical Heavyweight bout: two men with no interest in grappling looking to punch the others head clean off.
Ngannou:
After a dissapointing two loss streak to Stipe and Lewis ‘The Predator’ returned with 3 1st round knockouts
Of his 14 professional wins 10 have been by knockout, with some of the biggest knockouts around on his resume - this man has cannons for hands and will let fly
After a dissapointing two loss streak to Stipe and Lewis ‘The Predator’ returned with 3 1st round knockouts
Of his 14 professional wins 10 have been by knockout, with some of the biggest knockouts around on his resume - this man has cannons for hands and will let fly
Rozenstruik:
He is undefeated as a pro and a legend of kickboxing - with a 76-8-1 record
Whilst Ngannou is undoubtedly the favourite, Rozenstruik is being severely underplayed by a lot of #MMA fans
His huge kicks give him an extra weapon over Francis, making him a real threat
He is undefeated as a pro and a legend of kickboxing - with a 76-8-1 record
Whilst Ngannou is undoubtedly the favourite, Rozenstruik is being severely underplayed by a lot of #MMA fans
His huge kicks give him an extra weapon over Francis, making him a real threat
CO-MAIN EVENT: Dominick Cruz vs Henry Cejudo (c) (Bantamweight)
Make no mistake. If Cruz defeats Cejudo tonight after 4 years out and reclaims the Bantamweight title a 3rd time it will be the biggest comeback victory of all time. A big “if” though as he has to go through Cejudo
Make no mistake. If Cruz defeats Cejudo tonight after 4 years out and reclaims the Bantamweight title a 3rd time it will be the biggest comeback victory of all time. A big “if” though as he has to go through Cejudo
Cejudo:
Cejudo is a Gold-Medal wrestler who out-striked TJ Dillashaw and out-pointed the legendary ‘Might Mouse’ Johnson.
He may hide behind a “cringy” facade but Cejudo has racked up some huge wins in the last few years and is an incredibly tricky and intense champion
Cejudo is a Gold-Medal wrestler who out-striked TJ Dillashaw and out-pointed the legendary ‘Might Mouse’ Johnson.
He may hide behind a “cringy” facade but Cejudo has racked up some huge wins in the last few years and is an incredibly tricky and intense champion
Cruz:
After a 4 year lay off the 2 time Bantamweight champion is back to reclaim his crown. The question lingers however - what Cruz are we getting? Injuries have taken a real toll on Cruz’s body, so a win after this long a lay-off would be a Matt Serra vs GSP level upset
After a 4 year lay off the 2 time Bantamweight champion is back to reclaim his crown. The question lingers however - what Cruz are we getting? Injuries have taken a real toll on Cruz’s body, so a win after this long a lay-off would be a Matt Serra vs GSP level upset
MAIN EVENT: Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethjie (Lightweight)
If you had to pick any fight to replace Khabib Tony, after it’s 5th cancellation, Gaethjie is as good a pick as you could get
Both have wrestling backgrounds and are now ELITE strikers, making for an unreal match up
If you had to pick any fight to replace Khabib Tony, after it’s 5th cancellation, Gaethjie is as good a pick as you could get
Both have wrestling backgrounds and are now ELITE strikers, making for an unreal match up
Ferguson:
‘El Cucuy’ is an utterly unique fighter in the UFC, in how he approachs media, training, and fights
Expect constant stance changes, sharp elbows flying, and the occasional kartwheel. His flash however distracts from an astonishing engine and granite chin
‘El Cucuy’ is an utterly unique fighter in the UFC, in how he approachs media, training, and fights
Expect constant stance changes, sharp elbows flying, and the occasional kartwheel. His flash however distracts from an astonishing engine and granite chin
Ferguson cont.:
The only real concern could be how much his camp preparing for Khabib, a mauling grappler, applies to Gaethjie who can knock out anyone on his day
The proof is in the pudding however and you need only look at how Ferguson leaves all his opponents
TW: *Blood*
The only real concern could be how much his camp preparing for Khabib, a mauling grappler, applies to Gaethjie who can knock out anyone on his day
The proof is in the pudding however and you need only look at how Ferguson leaves all his opponents
TW: *Blood*
Ferguson cont.:
If Ferguson wins this fight his current 8-year and 11 unbeaten streak will be take him into elite company whilst fighting in one of the most stacked Weight divisions of AT
Interim or not, if Ferguson wins this fight he is an undeniable champion. Khabib awaits.
If Ferguson wins this fight his current 8-year and 11 unbeaten streak will be take him into elite company whilst fighting in one of the most stacked Weight divisions of AT
Interim or not, if Ferguson wins this fight he is an undeniable champion. Khabib awaits.
Gaethie:
The man standing between Ferguson and history? The only man crazy enough to stand opposite bloody EDSON BARBOZA and exchange leg kicks?!
This man knows no quit, has huge power in both hands, and the wrestling experience to defend attempts from Ferguson to shoot
The man standing between Ferguson and history? The only man crazy enough to stand opposite bloody EDSON BARBOZA and exchange leg kicks?!
This man knows no quit, has huge power in both hands, and the wrestling experience to defend attempts from Ferguson to shoot
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