249
Las Vegas - We've been previewing UFC 249 all week long, and now, as promised, time to make some picks and rake in the cash.
In the main event, gonna take a little taste of Tony (El Cucuy) Ferguson and not just because we love his nickname. El Cucuy is the better fighter, and as long as his surgically repaired knee holds up, it's all Tony, Tony, Tony. Also gonna toss a few chips on under 2.5 rounds.
Then we're on Henry (The Messenger) Cejudo. Why? You already know that his opponent, Dominick (The Dominator) Cruz, has had no ring time in 3.5 years, but you probably don't know that the Dominator's body rejected the cadaver ACL that was initially used in his surgery, requiring a second surgery that put Cruz out for another year. Of course, you know the trend here. ALWAYS bet AGAINST anyone that has rejected a FREAKIN' cadaver ACL.
Checking in on the ladies before we get to the best bet. It's Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson and gotta drop a few pennies on Waterson. Why? She's the better athlete and her nickname, 'The Karate Hottie,' has me intrigued.
And now for some SICK THUNDER BLOWS in the Francis (The Predator) Ngannou vs. Jairzinho (Bigi Boy) Rozenstruik fight. As you've read, these guys BOMB! Seven of The Predator's last nine fights ended in the 1st round, while seven of Bigi's last 10 fights ended in the 1st round. And if you wanna see one of the most DEVASTATING punches ever thrown in the UFC, hit YouTube and check out Ngannou PULVERIZING Alistair Overeem. So, obviously, Under 1.5 rounds is gonna be my BEST BET BAABBBEEE!!!
Enjoy the Octagon.
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If you missed any of the four previews, here you go.
Might as well start at the top of the UFC card with the main event, the interim lightweight championship match between Tony (El Cucuy) Ferguson and Justin (The Highlight) Gaethje. Ferguson is a medium sized favorite at -$180 (bet $180 to win back $100), with Gaethje the underdog at +$160 (bet $100 to win back $160).
Mrs. Ecks & Bacon loves it, so here's a little Tale of the Tape. Actually, after the Tale of the Tape, she leaves the room for the rest of the fight.
Ferguson is 36 years old from Oxnard, California, tips the scale at a buck 55, is 5'11" and has a 76.5" reach. His MMA record is 25-3, with 12 wins coming by KO, 5 by decision and 8 by submission. And if you're interested in his nickname, El Cucuy, it translates to...Mexican boogieman. We asked Alexa how you destroy El Cucuy, and she told me that the only way to destroy a Cucuy is to take an iron blade and pierce its brain. Pretty confident that both fighters will be checked for weapons before entering the Octagon, so it'll have to be decided with just hands and feet.
Gaethje is 31 years old from Stafford, Arizona, tips the scale at a buck 55 as well, is also 5'11" and has a 70" reach. His MMA record is 21-2, with 18 wins coming by KO, 2 by decision and 1 by submission.
Which way do you turn? El Cucuy comes in with a gorgeous 12 fight winning streak but has not had a fight in almost a year (June 8, 2019). He is the master of the choke, winning seven matches with the D'Arce choke, the rear-naked choke and the triangle choke. Understand the rear-naked and the triangle, but have no idea what the D'Arce choke is? Alexa, plz. Sure Benj, here you go.
The D'Arce choke, or Brabo choke, is similar to the Anaconda choke. The difference is that the choking arm is threaded under the near arm, in front of the opponent's neck, and on top of the far arm. The choke gets its name from Joe D'Arce, a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Think I used that on my kids back in the day!
The Highlight comes in with a tiny three match winning streak, and has not stepped into the Octagon since September, 14, 2019.
Next up is Henry (The Messenger) Cejudo vs. Dominick (The Dominator) Cruz. Cejudo is the favorite in this match at -$230 (bet $230 to win back $100), with Cruz the underdog at +$190 (bet $100 to win back $190).
Mrs. Ecks & Bacon actually read my article yesterday for the first time since Manny Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman back in 2019, just because I put in the Tale of the Tape. Why the Manny fight? Mrs. Ecks & is Filipina. So, here you go honey, more T of the T.
Cejudo is 33 years old from Los Angeles, California, tips the scale at a buck 35, is 5'4" and has a 64" reach. His MMA record is 15-2, with 7 wins coming by KO, 8 by decision. The Messenger is also a yellow belt in Shotokan Karate, but yellow ain't all that. Action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme holds a 2nd dan black belt in Shotokan which is pretty wicked, but my guy Wesley Snipes has a 5th dan black belt. So, basically, he can kill you with his ring finger, WITHOUT the ring!
Cruz is 35 years old from San Diego, California, also tips the scale at a buck 35, but is 5'8" and has a 69" reach. His MMA record is 22-2, with 8 wins coming by KO, 13 by decision and 1 by submission.
Cejudo's last fight was on June 8, 2019, a TKO of Marlon Moraes in the 3rd round. He has won five in row after losing twice back in 2016, to Joseph Benavidez (by decision) and suffered a TKO at the hands of Demetrious Johnson.
Dominick the Dominator heads to Jacksonville off a loss, but the most disturbing part is, it was back in 2016. Yea, he has not fought since TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN. Can you say RUST? Wha happened? Eck is here for you. Cruz faced Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207. Garbrandt won the bout by unanimous decision to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champ. This was The Dominator's first loss in almost 10 years. We dug a little deeper and found out that Cruz was dealing with plantar fascia tendinitis and that made it difficult for him to walk. Cruz was expected to face Jimmie Rivera on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219, however, he suffered a broken arm and he was forced to pull from the card. Cruz had a fight lined up with John Lineker on January 26, 2019 at UFC 233. Once again, Dominick suffered an injury, his shoulder, and pulled out of the fight.
On to the BIG bangers, and we have Francis (The Predator) Ngannou vs. Jairzinho (Bigi Boy) Rozenstruik. Ngannou is the favorite in this match at -$240 (bet $240 to win back $100), with Rozenstruik the underdog at +$200 (bet $100 to win back $200).
So, Mrs. Ecks & Bacon has actually been reading my articles everyday because she loves the Tale of the Tape. Now, she's asking if she can lend a little flavor to the T of the T. No offense to my GORGEOUS wife, but I'm advising her to concentrate on her new online business, 'Lost & Found...AGAIN.' She's selling vintage jewelry and clothing, plates and teapots from the 1800s, and crazy shoes from Gucci, Louboutin, Dior, Vuitton and Miu Mui. Had to ask Alexa about Mui Mui because I thought that was something a cow said. Alexa tells me that Mui Mui is a brand owned by Prada. Miuccia Prada conceived the name Miu Miu from the family’s nickname for her. While Prada offered minimalistic, elegant, and sophisticated designs to their customers, Miu Miu fell on the other side of the spectrum. Miu Miu’s take on fashion was rather rebellious, loud, and eclectic, something that people immediately fell in love with. The brand conceived the concepts of couture, luxury, and feminism, which were anything but mainstream back then. Its strategy, collections and photographs were bold, staying true to its motto. The shoes from this brand continue to fascinate women to this day. Bet you didn't know that I was a FASHIONISTA!!!
Back to the Octagon and we're talking about Ngannou who is 33 years old from Cameroon, tips the scale at 255 and change, is 6'4" and has a 83" reach. His MMA record is 14-3, with 10 wins coming by KO, 4 by submission. If you wanna talk about a HARD KNOCK LIFE, check this. Francis, don't call him Franny, started working in a sand quarry at 12 years old, and at the age of 26, moved to Paris, where he lived homeless on the streets. At 12 years old, I had a paper route in the Bronx. At 26, I was still home with parents, but sleeping on the pullout couch in the living room.
Rozenstruik is 35 years old from Suriname, a small country on the northeastern coast of South America. It's sandwiched between Guyana and French Guiana, with Brazil to the South, and was a Dutch colony until 1975.
Bigi tips the scale at 250 and small change, is 6'2" and has a 78" reach. His MMA record is 10-0, with 9 wins coming by KO and 1 by decision. And just a little piece of info to tuck away, seven of Bigi's 10 fights ended in the 1st round.
Close up shop with Donald (Cowboy) Cerrone vs. Anthony (Showtime) Pettis. The Cowboy is actually the underdog in this match. Pettis is -$140 (bet $140 to win back $100), with Cerrone the underdog at +$120 (bet $100 to win back $120).
Normally, I don't share much personal information, but you know that Mrs. Ecks & Bacon loves the Tale of the Tape. So she INSISTED that my T of the T gets posted. Here we go. Benjamin (The Hebrew Assassin) Eckstein is 37 years old, in his head, from the Bronx, New York. Marble Hill Projects to be exact. He tips the scale at a ready 208, whatever ready means, is 6'3" and small change with an 79.5" reach. He used to be 6'4" with an 80" reach, but stuff happens. His MMA record is 0-0, with NO wins coming by KO, NONE by decision and ZERO by submission. However, he did beat the snot out of George Cavuchinno at the playground in Marble Hill for taking his brand new Hi-Bounce Pinky rubber ball. And if you're interested in his nickname, The Hebrew Assassin, it came to life right after the STUNNING 12 second knockdown of Cavuchinno! The only drawback was the blood all over his Hi-Bounce Pinky!
Back to the Octagon, and looking at Pettis who is 33 years old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Showtime tips the scale at a buck 70, is 5'10" and has a 72.5" reach. His MMA record is okay at 22-10, with 11 wins coming by KO, 4 by decision and 7 by submission. Pettis' early career was stellar, winning 18 of his first 20 fights, but the tide turned in 2015, and Pettis has dropped eight of his last 12.
The Cowboy is 37 years old from Denver, Colorado, tips the scale at a buck 71, is 6'0" and has a 73" reach. His MMA record is 36-14, with 10 wins coming by KO, 9 by decision and 17 by submission. Cerrone also comes to the party with an ugly recent history, losing seven of his last 11 bouts. Not sure why, but the Cowboy had a son in 2018, and his middle name is DANGER! Just saying.
A few stats that might help you handicap this match. Cerrone lands an average of 4.33 and absorbs an average of 4.18 significant strikes per minute. Pettis lands an average of 2.97 and absorbs an average of 3.48 strikes per minute. Cerrone averages 1.21 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, while Pettis averages 0.67 takedowns landed per 15.
Maybe most important, this fight boils down to one word, REVENGE. Cerrone will be looking to pay back Pettis for his first knockout loss in MMA competition courtesy of a devastating body kick from Showtime at 2:35 of the first round in their bout at UFC on FOX 6 back on January 26, 2013. How bad was that kick? Cerrone said, “He kicked my liver out of my body.” FREAKIN' OUCH!
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*UFC 249*
*Jacksonville, FL*
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T. Ferguson * -$170 vs. J. Gaethje * +$150*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Under 2.5 rounds * -$180*
vs.
Over 2.5 rounds * +$160*
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*Method of Victory*
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Ferguson by KO, TKO or DQ: * 5/2*
Ferguson by decision: * 6/1*
Ferguson by submission: * 5/2*
Gaethje by KO, TKO or DQ: * 2/1*
Gaethje by decision: * 15/1*
Gaethje by submission: * 25/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Ferguson in round 1: * 4/1*
Ferguson in round 2: * 6/1*
Ferguson in round 3: * 8/1*
Ferguson in round 4: * 10/1*
Ferguson in round 5: * 12/1*
Gaethje in round 1: * 4/1*
Gaethje in round 2: * 8/1*
Gaethje in round 3: * 15/1*
Gaethje in round 4: * 25/1*
Gaethje in round 5: * 30/1*
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H. Cejudo * -$240 vs. D. Cruz * +$200*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Over 4.5 rounds * -$190*
vs.
Under 4.5 rounds * +$170*
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*Method of Victory*
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Cejudo by KO, TKO or DQ: * 5/2*
Cejudo by decision: * 6/5*
Cejudo by submission: * 10/1*
Cruz by KO, TKO or DQ: * 12/1*
Cruz by decision: * 3/1*
Cruz by submission: * 15/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Cejudo in round 1: * 6/1*
Cejudo in round 2: * 8/1*
Cejudo in round 3: * 10/1*
Cejudo in round 4: * 15/1*
Cejudo in round 5: * 20/1*
Cruz in round 1: * 20/1*
Cruz in round 2: * 25/1*
Cruz in round 3: * 30/1*
Cruz in round 4: * 35/1*
Cruz in round 5: * 40/1*
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F. Ngannou * -$280 vs. J. Rozenstruik * +$240*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Over 1.5 rounds * -$125*
vs.
Under 1.5 rounds * +$105*
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*Method of Victory*
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Ngannou by KO, TKO or DQ: * 1/2*
Ngannou by decision: * 6/1*
Ngannou by submission: * 10/1*
Rozenstruik by KO, TKO or DQ: * 4/1*
Rozenstruik by decision: * 6/1*
Rozenstruik by submission: * 30/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Ngannou in round 1: * 3/2*
Ngannou in round 2: * 5/1*
Ngannou in round 3: * 8/1*
Rozenstruik in round 1: * 6/1*
Rozenstruik in round 2: * 15/1*
Rozenstruik in round 3: * 20/1*
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C. Kattar * -$240 vs. J. Stephens * +$200*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Over 2.5 rounds * -$175*
vs.
Under 2.5 rounds * +$155*
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*Method of Victory*
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Kattar by KO, TKO or DQ: * 7/2*
Kattar by decision: * 6/5*
Kattar by submission: * 10/1*
Stephens by KO, TKO or DQ: * 4/1*
Stephens by decision: * 5/1*
Stephens by submission: * 25/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Kattar in round 1: * 5/1*
Kattar in round 2: * 8/1*
Kattar in round 3: * 10/1*
Stephens in round 1: * 8/1*
Stephens in round 2: * 10/1*
Stephens in round 3: * 20/1*
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G. Hardy * -$210 vs. Y. De Castro * +$175*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Over 1.5 rounds * -$160*
vs.
Under 1.5 rounds * +$140*
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*Method of Victory*
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Hardy by KO, TKO or DQ: * 3/2*
Hardy by decision: * 5/2*
Hardy by submission: * 25/1*
De Castro by KO, TKO or DQ: * 5/2*
De Castro by decision: * 7/1*
De Castro by submission: * 12/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Hardy in round 1: * 5/2*
Hardy in round 2: * 6/1*
Hardy in round 3: * 10/1*
De Castro in round 1: * 4/1*
De Castro in round 2: * 8/1*
De Castro in round 3: * 15/1*
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A. Pettis * -$140 vs. D. Cerrone * +$120*
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*Over/Under Total Rounds*
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Under 2.5 rounds * -$125*
vs.
Over 2.5 rounds * +$105*
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*Method of Victory*
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Pettis by KO, TKO or DQ: * 5/2*
Pettis by decision: * 5/2*
Pettis by submission: * 8/1*
Cerrone by KO, TKO or DQ: * 6/1*
Cerrone by decision: * 7/2*
Cerrone by submission: * 6/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Pettis in round 1: * 9/2*
Pettis in round 2: * 6/1*
Pettis in round 3: * 10/1*
Cerrone in round 1: * 5/1*
Cerrone in round 2: * 8/1*
Cerrone in round 3: * 15/1*
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F. Werdum * -$320 vs. A. Oleinik * +$260*
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Over 1.5 rounds * -$125*
vs.
Under 1.5 rounds * +$105*
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*Method of Victory*
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Werdum by KO, TKO or DQ: * 3/2*
Werdum by decision: * 3/1*
Werdum by submission: * 5/1*
Oleinik by KO, TKO or DQ: * 8/1*
Oleinik by decision: * 10/1*
Oleinik by submission: * 5/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Werdum in round 1: * 2/1*
Werdum in round 2: * 9/2*
Werdum in round 3: * 8/1*
Oleinik in round 1: * 6/1*
Oleinik in round 2: * 10/1*
Oleinik in round 3: * 20/1*
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C. Esparza (W) * -$150 vs. M. Waterson * +$130*
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Over 2.5 rounds * -$500*
vs.
Under 2.5 rounds * +$400*
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*Method of Victory*
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Esparza by KO, TKO or DQ: * 10/1*
Esparza by decision: * 4/5*
Esparza by submission: * 12/1*
Waterson by KO, TKO or DQ: * 12/1*
Waterson by decision: * 2/1*
Waterson by submission: * 10/1*
Fight will end in a draw: * 50/1*
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*Winning Round*
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Esparza in round 1: * 15/1*
Esparza in round 2: * 20/1*
Esparza in round 3: * 25/1*
Waterson in round 1: * 12/1*
Waterson in round 2: * 15/1*
Waterson in round 3: * 25/1*
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W- women
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