UFC 279 is taking place on September 10 in Las Vegas, with the main card full of star power. In the co-main event slot, the fans will be treated to the legendary Tony Ferguson (26-7) and Li Jingliang (19-7) going at it in the famous T-Mobile Arena.
The styles in this fight are very interesting and make it tough to make a Ferguson vs Jingliang betting analysis, but we all know it will be awesome to see these two clashes in the center of the octagon.
Fighters Previous Records
Tony Ferguson got front kicked in the chin by Michael Chandler in his last bout, which he might have won the first round in. Li Jingliang is coming off a very emotional KO victory over Muslim Salikhov back in July.
Ferguson vs. Jingliang Betting Analysis
Tony Ferguson
According to UFC fighter statistics, Tony Ferguson is 14-2 at welterweight, including the Ultimate Fighter tournament in which he won. He is on a losing skid while facing only the top 5 fighters in the lightweight division since 2020.
Ferguson has had a tough road in the last few years in the UFC. His title fight against Khabib was not meant to be, ended up having to take a fight at the start of the pandemic against a striker, and since then just hasn’t looked the same.
Something to think about this week is how great he looks right now. No tough weight cut, he is smiling and hugging everyone around the UFC facilities, and his vibes just seem all around better.
Li Jingliang
The fighting pride of China is taking a quick turnaround fight against a UFC legend this weekend. Jingliang will have the size and strength advantage against Ferguson in the octagon on Saturday night.
He has some serious power in his punches and will definitely look to add to his impressive KO resume in the UFC.
Size Advantage
This is a nice matchup for Jingliang in terms of the size advantage, timing, and the way Ferguson has looked as of late.
This is a big opportunity for Jingliang to make himself a nice highlight win on the co-main of a PPV event against a future Hall Of Famer.
UFC Injury Report
- Jingliang believes people need to put more respect on Tony Ferguson’s name, discussing the booking after Ferguson’s brutal KO a few months ago. Jingliang states, “you forget who he is,” while talking to the critics.
Ferguson vs. Jingliang Betting Preview
When breaking down this fight and making a Ferguson vs Jingliang betting analysis, you need to look at the two different styles. Ferguson will come out with his wacky footwork and look to pick Jingliang apart from the outside.
Jingliang will be in a more traditional kickboxer style, but he will be looking to land big counter shots.
“The Leech” will be stronger than Ferguson in the octagon on Saturday and I am wondering if he will use that as an advantage.
Ferguson has a reputation for having dangerous and unorthodox jiu-jitsu, but is he still able to be feared on the ground? He has been dominated on the ground in both his fights against Dariush and Oliviera.
UFC Interesting Booking
This booking by the UFC is interesting. “El Cucuy” is coming off a brutal KO loss just a few months ago, and a 4-fight losing streak at lightweight.
He then decides to go up in weight and take a pretty short-notice fight against one of the biggest and strongest welterweights on the roster, who is also top 15 in the world. Very dangerous fight for the former interim champ.
Ferguson vs. Jingliang Betting Predictions
No matter how deep you go when making a Ferguson vs Jingliang betting analysis, it will only matter on what Tony Ferguson shows up in the cage on Saturday night.
The MMA fan within me, and my heart, wants Ferguson to show flashes of his prime. Slicing up Jingliang with elbows, ankle picks, and maybe even a submission win by locking up a d’arce choke.
UFC Reality
The reality is: El Cucuy just has too much going against him in this bout, and UFC 279 predictions shouldn’t be made by your heart.
Jingliang has momentum from a big win in July, he is bigger and stronger, he is younger and maybe even more durable at this exact time.
Who to Bet On?
If you care about your money and the bets you make, Jingliang should be able to take care of this one. Probably will mix in takedowns if Ferguson is able to find clean shots in the first.
I will be betting on Ferguson, but the smart bet will be Jingliang to win by unanimous decision, a prop bet you can get for around +240 at most sportsbooks.
UFC Pick: Jingliang (+240)
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