UFC 249 Undercard Betting Preview & Predictions

The coronavirus has left the sports world so barren that people are betting on Madden NFL and Kentucky Derby simulations. In this climate, any fight card would be a welcome reprieve; but UFC 249 is delivering a card that would be fantastic in any climate.

Loaded from top to bottom with competitive and interesting matchups, this one should be a blast to watch from start to finish with a stack of attractive UFC betting opportunities. Here’s a look at the best of the fights leading up to the main and co-main title bouts with odds from the best sportsbooks on the planet.

UFC Heavyweight Bout: Francis Ngannou v Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Francis Ngannou’s meteoric rise to the top of the UFC’s heavyweight food chain hit a snag at UFC 220 when he finally got his title shot against Stipe Miocic. Ngannou (14-3-0) had a 10-fight winning streak snapped by Miocic and and followed that loss up with another lethargic performance in a loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 226. But since then, the knockout artist has gotten his mojo back with three straight first-round knockout wins over Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, and Junior dos Santos.

On Saturday, Ngannou will face Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who is undefeated as a professional at 10-0-0 with nine knockouts and four straight knockout wins to start off his UFC career. This one should be a barn-burner that doesn’t figure to last long.

UFC 249 Ngannou versus Rozenstruik Prediction

Francis Ngannou to win comfortably by knockout.

UFC Catchweight Bout: Calvin Kattar v Jeremy Stephens

Calvin Kattar (20-4-0) and Jeremy Stephens (28-17-0) will both be looking for some momentum as they each enter this fight coming off of a loss. Stephens is actually entering off of three straight losses and is over two years removed from his last win back in February of 2018.

This fight has the makings of a potential slugfest. Kattar is the more polished boxer and doesn’t often beat himself, which should put him in position to convert as a favorite. But at +230, Stephens could swing his way to an upset; there are certainly worse spots to take a shot on the underdog.

UFC 249 Kattar versus Stephens Prediction

Jeremy Stephens to win in an upset by knockout.

UFC Heavyweight Bout: Greg Hardy v Yorgan de Castro

Where Greg Hardy goes, controversy follows. The former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys defensive end lost his job in the NFL due to a suspension brought on by domestic violence charges. Hardy (5-2) is off to a 2-2 start to his UFC career and has made headlines for the wrong reasons; he lost to Allen Crowder by disqualification after throwing an illegal knee, and had a win over Ben Sosoli overturned for using an inhaler between rounds.

Other fights down the card might be better technical bouts, but Hardy’s presence in this one gives this match the star power to get bumped up to the main card. Yorgan de Castro improved to 6-0 as a professional with a knockout win against Justin Tafa in his UFC debut at UFC 243. This looks like a pretty evenly matched slugfest on paper; Hardy’s name recognition may be driving his price a bit to high in this main card opener.

UFC 249 Hardy versus Yorgan de Castro Prediction

Yorgan de Castro to win by knockout.

UFC 249 Preliminary Card Betting

• Welterweight: Donald Cerrone -158.73
• Heavyweight: Fabrício Werdum -344.83 vs Aleksei Oleinik +266
• Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza -153.85 vs Michelle Waterson +120
• Middleweight: Ronaldo Souza -131.58 vs Uriah Hall +105