🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[eaLiTy]

UFC 249 happening without Khabib is probably pointless.

The fight without Khabib is pointless and that too during this stage when the entire world is on a stand still.

I reckon thje fight will just be a load of fighters just desperate to get any sort of exposure and would be very surprised if there's any big names. With that being said, if Dana can pull out some big guns then fair play to him bu there just seems far too many obstacles in his way to even get this fight going never-mind getting some big names on the bout.

The main event will be Justin Gaetjhe and Tony Ferguson as per the reports, the problem with a fight during this situation is that none of the fighters will be getting a proper training as it is hard to find training partners during a lock down and the gyms were forced to shut down, even if Dana moves forward with the event how successful it will be is to be seen.

[hilariousetc]

I reckon thje fight will just be a load of fighters just desperate to get any sort of exposure and would be very surprised if there's any big names. With that being said, if Dana can pull out some big guns then fair play to him bu there just seems far too many obstacles in his way to even get this fight going never-mind getting some big names on the bout.

The main event will be Justin Gaetjhe and Tony Ferguson as per the reports, the problem with a fight during this situation is that none of the fighters will be getting a proper training as it is hard to find training partners during a lock down and the gyms were forced to shut down, even if Dana moves forward with the event how successful it will be is to be seen.

I'd be surprised even if Ferguson is still on the card unless he's said anything to the contrary. I suppose it depends where it's going to be as well. If it's abroad then that makes it a lot more difficult for numerous reasons. There's VISAs involved and work permits usually take some time. I'm not sure how bothered Fergeson would be in fighting any bum who's just willing either. We'll see but I reckon this fight either won't happen or it'll be a lacklustre card.

Edit. I guess I spoke too soon:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pquQiFWTk/



Still the question is where is it held and whether it will actually go ahead. Dana only says "somewhere on earth" lol.

[notblox1]

UFC 249 is signed and confirmed by Dana White.
Main event will be TonyFerguson vs Justin Gaethje
Date is April 18th
I have to say I am not impressed at all...
source:
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1247244231778775041

[DeathAngel]

UFC 249 is signed and confirmed by Dana White.
Main event will be TonyFerguson vs Justin Gaethje
Date is April 18th
I have to say I am not impressed at all...
source:
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1247244231778775041

Ahh man, that’s disappointing. How many times has Tony vs Khabib flopped now when it was supposed to happen?
I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see those two fight.

[Clement Kaliyar]

Ahh man, that’s disappointing. How many times has Tony vs Khabib flopped now when it was supposed to happen?
I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see those two fight.

It was expected but i expect to see that fight this year, if this was a normal situation i am sure the fight would have taken place but these are uncharted territory and the only way the fight between Tony and Khabib will not happen is if  Justin Gaethje upsets everyone and wins this fight, it is a difficult fight for both, one is relentless and wild and Tony is crazy unorthodox and i am expecting a great fight.

[Fundamentals Of]

UFC 249 is signed and confirmed by Dana White.
Main event will be TonyFerguson vs Justin Gaethje
Date is April 18th
I have to say I am not impressed at all...
source:
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1247244231778775041

Ahh man, that’s disappointing. How many times has Tony vs Khabib flopped now when it was supposed to happen?
I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see those two fight.

I can understand the frustration. Every fight fan wanted to see Tony fighting Khabib.

But I don't like this. Dana White is putting people at risk. Nearly every events were cancelled. Other sports that planned to continue matches without audiences were also cancelled. State athletic commisions should never approve this event.

[NavI_027]

UFC 249 is signed and confirmed by Dana White.
Main event will be TonyFerguson vs Justin Gaethje
Date is April 18th
I have to say I am not impressed at all...
source:
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1247244231778775041

Ahh man, that’s disappointing. How many times has Tony vs Khabib flopped now when it was supposed to happen?
I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see those two fight.

No one knows mate, it will take forever I guess . Good for me I already gave up expecting their fight to happen. At least it was less frustrating for me lol.

What makes me wonder is why Dana is so eager to push this UFC 249? Is ot really a big loss for him? I can see that he can do what all it takes for this event to happen up to extent that he is willing to set a private island for this (just a post I saw recently, I am not sure yet if it is legit).

[mich]

Dana White securing private island for events, adds UFC 249 fighters will be tested for Covid-19

TMZ Sports reported on Monday night that White is close to locking up a private island to host upcoming UFC events. This would not include UFC 249 and UFC Nebraska, which are both tentatively scheduled to move to another location that hasn’t been announced. After the next two months of UFC cards are held in that mystery location, White plans on holding UFC events on a private island every week after that.

https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/dana-white-securing-private-island-for-events-adds-ufc-249-fighters-will-be-tested-for-covid-19/

[yazher]

Dana White securing private island for events, adds UFC 249 fighters will be tested for Covid-19

TMZ Sports reported on Monday night that White is close to locking up a private island to host upcoming UFC events. This would not include UFC 249 and UFC Nebraska, which are both tentatively scheduled to move to another location that hasn’t been announced. After the next two months of UFC cards are held in that mystery location, White plans on holding UFC events on a private island every week after that.

https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/dana-white-securing-private-island-for-events-adds-ufc-249-fighters-will-be-tested-for-covid-19/

This is insane, they are going to continue the event? but with different fighters. I mean, how they can do this to Kabeeb? That was some intense interviews since they met at their media conference. No doubt that the fight will be the most amazing fight in the history of UFC if that ever happened. They go to this far just to continue that event.

[hilariousetc]

UFC 249 is signed and confirmed by Dana White.
Main event will be TonyFerguson vs Justin Gaethje
Date is April 18th
I have to say I am not impressed at all...
source:
https://twitter.com/danawhite/status/1247244231778775041

Ahh man, that’s disappointing. How many times has Tony vs Khabib flopped now when it was supposed to happen?
I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see those two fight.

They should try make that the first big fight after the pandemic has blow over. Assuming Tony wins. Or maybe another McGregor fight.

But I don't like this. Dana White is putting people at risk. Nearly every events were cancelled. Other sports that planned to continue matches without audiences were also cancelled. State athletic commisions should never approve this event.

I still can't see it happening, but I would like to see it as long as it's safe, but I would be surprised if whatever the relevant US governing bodies are allow it. Dana mentioned the last UFC bout in Brazil in March with Lee vs. Oliveira which went underway behind closed doors during the pandemic and they got it going with less than 50 people allegedly but something tells me it's possibly a lot easier to do things in Brazil than the US. It was only the start of the pandemic as well and things are far more serious now. Dana is being tight-lipped about where the bout is taking place so I'm not sure he's got the thing lockdown 100% and/or he's doing this so they don't get shut down.

What makes me wonder is why Dana is so eager to push this UFC 249? Is ot really a big loss for him? I can see that he can do what all it takes for this event to happen up to extent that he is willing to set a private island for this (just a post I saw recently, I am not sure yet if it is legit).

Well it's his job to make these fights and money is on the line. Also, I think any sort of big sporting event would be huge right now and potentially big business because there's so little sport going on. A hell of a lot of people will likely tune into this during times like these.

Dana White securing private island for events, adds UFC 249 fighters will be tested for Covid-19

Yeah, saw that in a current interview he did yesterday.Full interview on ESPN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wSd5AeKXY&t

Private Island sounds cool. I'm interested to see what he pulls off, and if he can pull it off.

I mean, how they can do this to Kabeeb? That was some intense interviews since they met at their media conference. No doubt that the fight will be the most amazing fight in the history of UFC if that ever happened. They go to this far just to continue that event.

To be honest, Khabib probably could have made this fight if he wanted to. He flew home to Russia and offers for private jets to make this fight were offered. I don't blame him for not wanting to fight but I don't think the UFC has done him dirty.

[notblox1]

Like I suggested before... solution for UFC can be some remote islands,
now we have confirmation from Dana White.
They will transport all fighters to some private islands.
https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1247361798908624898

This looks like some movie...with Jean-Claude Van Damme 

[Bttzed03]

President Trump already issued a statement that he hopes that fans would be able to get back to the stadiums/arenas by August or September but UFC might actually happen if it's done behind close doors.

Well, if Dana refused to give up on the scheduled fight on April 18, then it will most likely happen.

UFC 249 CARD

MAIN CARD
TONY FERGUSON vs. JUSTIN GAETHJE - LIGHTWEIGHT INTERIM TITLE BOUT
JESSICA ANDRADE vs. ROSE NAMAJUNAS - WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT BOUT
GREG HARDY vs. YORGAN DE CASTRO - HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
JEREMY STEPHENS vs. CALVIN KATTAR - FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT
MAGOMED ANKALAEV vs. ION CUTELABA - LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

PRELIMS
FRANCIS NGANNOU vs. JAIRZINHO ROZENSTRUIK - HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
LYMAN GOOD vs. BELAL MUHAMMAD - WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
URIAH HALL vs. RONALDO SOUZA - MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ vs. OMAR ANTONIO MORALES FERRER - LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
GIAN VILLANTE vs. BEN ROTHWELL - HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
MARLON VERA vs. RAY BORG - BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
KARL ROBERSON vs. MAKHMUD MURADOV - MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT

EARLY PRELIMS
MICHAEL JOHNSON vs. KHAMA WORTHY - LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
HUNTER AZURE vs. UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV - BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
SIJARA EUBANKS vs. SARAH MORAS - WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
RYAN SPANN vs. SAM ALVEY - LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

There will probably be some changes here but this looks stack. Hopefully Tony wins the interim belt but we've seen in the past that replacement fighters are pretty dangerous as well. Anything can happen inside the octagon.

[tokeweed]

^  Yup...  But I wonder how Ferguson matches up with Gaethje tho.  I mean with all of Ferguson's training prolly laser focused on Khabib and his style and tendencies.

Edit:  And I wonder if there's an unreleased Inside the Octagon for Khabib vs Ferguson somewhere...

[eaLiTy]

This is insane, they are going to continue the event? but with different fighters. I mean, how they can do this to Kabeeb?

This is no ones fault, the situation demanded that they needed to carry on with the fight and they are yet to release the details where the fight takes place and since Khabib is in Russia because of the pandemic situation as that is his home country and none of the countries was planning to entertain other citizens.

This is insane, they are going to continue the event? but with different fighters. I mean, how they can do this to Kabeeb?

This is no ones fault, the situation demanded that they needed to carry on with the fight and they are yet to release the details where the fight takes place and since Khabib is in Russia because of the pandemic situation as that is his home country and none of the countries was planning to entertain other citizens.

To be honest, Khabib probably could have made this fight if he wanted to. He flew home to Russia and offers for private jets to make this fight were offered. I don't blame him for not wanting to fight but I don't think the UFC has done him dirty.

It is not about Khabib wanting to fight, his gym was forced to shut down because of lock down and Dana White informed him that the fight would probably take place in the UAE and he took the flight to UAE but the government did not allow Khabib and his team to stay and they were put in a hotel in the airport and they said they will lock down everything and hence Khabib and his team had nowhere to go than forced to move to Russia and once they landed in Russia they too enforced the lock down. The news about private jet is not authentic according to Khabib.

[notblox1]

Interesting interview with Dana White for ESPN MMA with Brett Okamoto.
Is Ferguson-KhabibCursed on not?
looks like Dana started to believe Joe Rogan about this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wSd5AeKXY

[Clement Kaliyar]

Interesting interview with Dana White for ESPN MMA with Brett Okamoto.
Is Ferguson-KhabibCursed on not?
looks like Dana started to believe Joe Rogan about this

The funny thing Dana said during the interview is that he is planning to conduct the event on a private island and they are not even planning to reveal the details because he doubts whether there will be any sanctions imposed if they reveal the location now, which means they are expecting heat conducting this event and yet he is confident that he will be able to conduct future events. The UFC is taking a huge risk and if anyone tests positive after the event then it will impact their business drastically.

[ene1980]

Interesting interview with Dana White for ESPN MMA with Brett Okamoto.
Is Ferguson-KhabibCursed on not?
looks like Dana started to believe Joe Rogan about this

The MMA fans does not have the luck to watch a dream fight like Khabib and Tony, when the fight was initially put together it was not a big deal as both were up coming talents and with every missed opportunity the hype started to build and now i thought the fight would go through for the fifth time but then the fucking virus has other plans and even though the UFC is moving forward with the event and none of the fighters are injured we wont be seeing this fight. If Tony looses this fight then we will never see this fight happen and then it will be known as the worst match up in MMA or combat sports history.

[notblox1]

I have to say that UFC is only place showing some activity and only sport we could watch.
Lets just hope there will be no obstacles in last moments.
Israel Adesanya interesting talks with Ariel Helwani:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrNmACpngfU

[NavI_027]

^  Yup...  But I wonder how Ferguson matches up with Gaethje tho.  I mean with all of Ferguson's training prolly laser focused on Khabib and his style and tendencies.

In addition, I wonder what preparation Gaethje did despite of the last minute call from Dana? Do you think is it enough to beat the Rank 1 contender? *sigh Why we come this far?  Everything seems not on its proper place so I'll not get shocked if we all get disappointed after watching the event . 

Edit:  And I wonder if there's an unreleased Inside the Octagon for Khabib vs Ferguson somewhere...

Maybe, I'm sure ther is but I think they don't release it on purpose due to big changes.

[Clement Kaliyar]

In addition, I wonder what preparation Gaethje did despite of the last minute call from Dana? Do you think is it enough to beat the Rank 1 contender? *sigh Why we come this far?  Everything seems not on its proper place so I'll not get shocked if we all get disappointed after watching the event . 

That is the risk every fighter who is fighting during this lockdown is taking, they cannot prepare in the gym as they are forced to shut and you cannot find training partners who could help you to prepare during this period and i will not be surprised if all the fights does not live up to the expectation of the fans and i wonder they will see an increase in PPV sales as majority are jobless and the illegal streaming services will be the place where everyone searches to view the event.