Tag: Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson opens as betting favorite vs. Justin Gaethje for potential UFC 249 fight

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje would be one cracker of a fight, and “El Cucuy” is the favorite should the bout take place.

The UFC isn’t the only entity trying to forge forward in the unsteady times of the global coronavirus pandemic. Sportsbooks are looking to keep their businesses afloat in the near absence of events, too.

So, as Dana White attempts to move forward with UFC 249, which still doesn’t have a location set for its scheduled April 18 date, wagers are being taken for fights that haven’t yet been finalized.

There’s a strong chance lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is out of his long-awaited matchup with [autotag]Tony Ferguson [/autotag] in the main event, but Ferguson is still looking to fight. And a leading name that has popped up in Nurmagomedov’s wake is [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag].

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Regardless of what you feel about the appropriateness of the card moving forward as planned as COVID-19 continues to spread, Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) vs. Gaethje 21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), which would be a matchup of a former interim UFC champ and a former World Series of Fighting titleholder, would be one hell of a scrap between two fighters capable of putting on a “Fight of the Year” every time they step in the cage.

According to Best Fight Odds, Ferguson has opened as a -170 favorite against Gaethje, meaning you’d have to wager $170 to make $100 on a Ferguson win. Gaethje, meanwhile, is a +145 underdog, meaning a $100 bet would pay $145 in case of a Gaethje victory.

You can still bet on Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson. While the sportsbooks vary slightly, 5Dimes has Nurmagomedov at -300 and Ferguson at +250.

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Spinning Back Clique: What is going on with Jon Jones? And UFC 249, what is even happening?

Quite simply, where does Jon Jones go from here after his latest arrest? And quite confusingly, what the heck is going on with UFC 249?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” unpack potential fallout from Jon Jones’ latest run-in with the law, what the hell is going on with UFC, and more.

SHOW RUNDOWN:

  • By now you probably have heard that UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] was arrested last week on charges of aggravated DWI, negligent use of a gun, and more after police responded to hearing a gun shot in downtown Albuquerque only to find an intoxicated Jones in his car with a loaded gun, according to the police report. We’ve been down this road with Jones so many times before. Quite simply, where does the UFC light heavyweight champion go from here?
  • Suppose Jones gets stripped for the title (it’s happened twice before), or he decides to pull away from the sport so he can get things in order. Then what? You’ve got guys like [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag], [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag], and [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] all staking a claim to the next title shot. What would be the fights to make if Jones parted ways with the title?
  • UFC president Dana White continues to be determined to make UFC 249 happen April 18, even with no location set as of this post, but the latest major wrench is that lightweight champ [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], who is supposed to finally fight Tony Ferguson after four failed attempts, could be stuck in Russia because of a coronavirus travel ban, prompting the promotion to possibly move on without him. WHAT!? So now the UFC is scrambling to find options for [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag], with [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and maybe even [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] among them. You’ve also got welterweight champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] and [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] beefing and talking about stepping in as a last-minute headliner. All of this is nuts. What is even going on anymore?
  • With all the talk of MMA promotion’s canceling events left and right amid the global coronavirus pandemic, Submission Underground 12 took place this past Saturday with extreme measures in place. Could MMA take a page out of the grappling promotion to keep events moving along?
  • Speaking of the COVID-19 pandemic, what is the biggest positive we’ve taken so far from these unprecedented circumstances in our lives?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 22 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

UFC fans had questions about Khabib Nurmagomedov actually being stuck in Russia

It’s not looking good.

At this point, it’s practically comical to expect Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson to ever fight in a UFC bout.

The two had been slated to fight four times since 2015 and saw all four of those meetings canceled. The fifth time was supposed to be the charm with Khabib and Ferguson set to headline UFC 249 on April 18.

But then a global pandemic happened … and is still happening. So, now the Khabib-Ferguson fight is likely off for a fifth time.

In an Instagram Live video on Monday, Khabib told fans that travel restrictions would prevent him from leaving Russia in order to make the fight — likely in the United Arab Emirates.

As countries look to limit the spread of the coronavirus, Russia shut down its borders, meaning that Khabib couldn’t leave. Still, that didn’t stop UFC fans from speculating that Khabib — who left the UAE for Russia in March — was just once again hoping to avoid a fight against Ferguson.

You can read more from MMAJunkie.

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UFC 249 may go on without Khabib Nurmagomedov due to travel restrictions

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC 249 may go on without Khabib Nurmagomedov due to travel restrictions (Mmajunkie)

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

UFC fans have been waiting years for a match between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now it looks like their fifth scheduled bout — part of UFC 249 — is not going to happen.

Twitter reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson being in jeopardy at UFC 249

All signs point to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson not fighting at UFC 249, and the reactions are that of overwhelming disappointment.

All signs point to [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] not fighting at UFC 249, and the combat sports world is doing a collective facepalm.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has put much of the world on pause, the UFC was dead set on moving forward with Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) vs. Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) despite four previously failed bookings. UFC president Dana White said he was close to confirming a venue, but then on Monday another significant wrench was thrown into the works.

Nurmagomedov is apparently unable to leave Russia due to the recently imposed travel ban, and now the UFC is reportedly scrambling for either a replacement to fight Ferguson, or a new main event all together.

The situation caused many reactions within the MMA community, and much of them were filed with the same disappointing tone. Check out the top Twitter reactions to Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson being in serious jeopardy.

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Dustin Poirier volunteers to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 249: ‘I’ll take it’

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier has thrown his name into the hat as a potential replacement opponent for Tony Ferguson.

If Khabib Nurmagomedov is out, the UFC won’t have to look hard for a replacement.

Former UFC lightweight title challenger [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] has thrown his name into the hat as a potential replacement opponent for [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] should UFC lightweight champ Nurmagomedov be unable to compete at UFC 249 on April 18 – provided the event still happens.

Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) made his intentions clear Monday on Twitter, which he expanded on in a text exchange with MMA Junkie. While the circumstances aren’t ideal, Poirier admitted, he’s already volunteered his services to the UFC brass.

“Not an ideal time frame or preparation, but any chance I get to prove that I’m the best, I’ll take it,” Poirier told MMA Junkie. “I texted Dana and Sean that I would fight Tony.”

Poirier’s offering stems from Monday’s news of a potential UFC 249 main event fallout. In an Instagram Live video, Nurmagomedov said he may not be able to headline the April 18 card against Ferguson because he is stuck in Russia.

“So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me. OK, go ahead,” Nurmagomedov said. “Everyone should follow the laws. I am not against it.

The country currently has a travel lockdown, which would restrict Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) from flying out of Russia to the United States, or presumably anywhere else outside the country.

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UFC 249 was originally scheduled to take place in Brooklyn, N.Y. However, the card was moved after New York state officials implemented restrictions on large gatherings.

UFC president Dana White has promised the April 18 card will happen, but has been reluctant to release any information as to a potential location or venue.

At the moment, Poirier is penciled in to fight Dan Hooker in the UFC on ESPN+ 33 main event May 16 in San Diego.

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Tony Ferguson waiting for location, says travel ban won’t save ‘hiding’ Khabib Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson asks Khabib Nurmagomedov to send him a location, but the UFC lightweight champion is currently stuck in Russia.

Heading into April, the UFC is yet to announce a location for UFC 249.

With the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and travel bans implemented globally, time is seemingly winding down on the highly-anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and former interim champion [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag].

Russia has recently banned all cross-border travel except for diplomats or members of official delegations, which may put the fight in jeopardy, considering that Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is currently in Dagestan.

Dana White has mentioned that there are numerous locations discussed for the event but Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC), who is in the U.S., appears unaware of where the fight will take place and, in his most recent Twitter update, asked Nurmagomedov to send him a location.

“April 18 Is Getting Close @TeamKhabib & You’re Hiding In Russia. Travel Bans Will Not Prevent Me From Whoopin’ That Ass. Don’t Use It As An Excuse To Back Out. You Have Been Sent Many Locations, Send Us 1. Still My Bitch #DefendorVacate MF ⚾️ -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 #ufc249 @ufc @danawhite”

Nurmagomedov recently closed out his camp at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. before flying home to Russia last week when he heard that the fight will not happen in the U.S.

But with travel bans now also being imposed in his homeland, Nurmagomedov is currently stuck there, putting yet another hurdle in the way of his eagerly-awaited fight with Ferguson.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov says he’s under lockdown in Russia, UFC 249 may go ahead ‘with or without me’

With Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck in Russia, the lightweight champion says UFC 249 may move on with or without his involvement.

The much-anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] looks set to fall by the wayside for a fifth time.

UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov appeared on Instagram Live Monday to explain his situation, as he revealed that he is currently stuck in his native Dagestan after plans to travel to the United Arab Emirates for UFC 249 hit travel restriction issues. Now the Russian is back home under a national travel lockdown, and revealed that the UFC was considering moving ahead with the event without him.

“We were training at AKA without any information regarding the fight, where and how is it going to happen,” he said (via RT Sport translation). “Then the UFC told us that the fight 100% isn’t happening in the States. And they said that 99% that it will happen in (United Arab) Emirates, Abu Dhabi.

“After talking to the UFC we decided to fly over to the Emirates a month before the fight. I don’t remember the exact date, it was 19th or 20th, I’ll have to check. But when we landed in Emirates we learned that they are going to close (the) borders and no one will be able to leave or fly in, with (the) exception of residents.

“So, we had to fly back to Russia. Currently, I am in Dagestan and I am training and preparing every day, although I don’t know what am I preparing for. Because after we came to Russia we also learned that the borders are going to be locked. Same like in the States, same like in Europe, Emirates, everywhere. The whole world is in quarantine right now.”

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Now it appears Nurmagomedov is locked down in his native Russia, his participation on April 18 looks almost impossible in the current climate, with the various travel bans around the world significantly restricting movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurmagomedov also suggested that UFC 249 may still go ahead without him, as he revealed he had heard the UFC were now considering alternative opponent options for Ferguson.

“So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me. OK, go ahead,” he said. “Everyone should follow the laws. I am not against it, I know that fighters need to feed their families and pay their bills. I know how hard it is for the fighter. Unless they fight they aren’t getting any money.

“I am even hearing that they are looking for an opponent for Tony, because he is in the States and I am here in Russia. But I am here not on my own will. The UFC told me that this fight 100% isn’t happening in the USA, and even if it’s not happening in the Emirates it will happen on this side of Atlantic. We discussed everything with the UFC. By that time I already spent five weeks of hard training at AKA.

“Now I don’t really know what’s going on. It’s really hard to train and cut your weight when the whole world is locked down and you don’t know what you are preparing for. But it’s not the first time I face obstacles in my career.”

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UFC free fight: Relive Tony Ferguson’s debut in the ‘The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale’

The night Tony Ferguson won “The Ultimate Fighter 13” was the start of something special.

You knew there was something special about [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] from the moment he entered the UFC.

Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC) was a competitor on Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2011. That was right around the time seasons of the UFC’s flagship reality series were all starting to blend together, but there was something that stood about the fighter out of Southern California, who then sported an 11-2 record, that made him memorable all the same.

We got a glimpse of that way at the TUF 13 Finale in Las Vegas on June 4, 2011. Competing against the well-respected Ramsey Nijem that night, Ferguson displayed hints of the frenetic mix of unorthodox standup and relentless energy in his scrambles that would soon make him one of the greatest lightweights in the world.

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Ferguson went on to use a big left hand to set up the finis and TKOd Nijem at the 3:54 mark of the opening round.

That was just the start of big things for Ferguson, who has won 15 of 16 in the UFC, including 12 in a row, winning an interim title along the way. That just builds the anticipation for his long-awaited bout with undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The duo is scheduled to fight at UFC 249 on April 18, pending finding a location that will clear the UFC to put on a fight card during the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

To check out the fight that put Ferguson on the UFC map, watch the video above.

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