Finally, the UFC returns as UFC 249 is now just hours away from going down.
The event features Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje colliding for the interim UFC lightweight title live on ESPN+ pay-per-view from Jacksonville, Florida and the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Ferguson and Gaethje agreed to square off last month after Khabib Nurmagomedov was forced out of a title defense. However, the novel coronavirus pandemic canceled the card, with UFC officials working hard to put it together for this weekend.
Along with Ferguson vs. Gaethje, Henry Cejudo defends his bantamweight belt for the first time against former division king Dominick Cruz.
Here are predictions for the fight including who will take home “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses:
UFC 249 ESPN+ Prelims
Airing as part of the early portion of the night will be three fights live on ESPN+ headlined by Vicente Luque and Niko Price at welterweight.
Bryce Mitchell and Charles Rosa, along with Ryan Spann and Sam Alvey, complete the planned card.
Predictions
* Sam Alvey over Ryan Spann via unanimous decision
* Bryce Mitchell over Charles Rosa via second round submission
* Vicente Luque over Niko Price via unanimous decision
UFC 249 ESPN Prelims
Three former UFC champions are in action on the ESPN prelims for the event, including a rematch years in the making between Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone.
Fabricio Werdum and Carla Esparza join Pettis as ex-UFC champs on the docket.
Predictions
* Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza over Uriah Hall via unanimous decision
* Michelle Waterson over Carla Esparza via unanimous decision
* Fabricio Werdum over Aleksei Oleinik via first round submission
* Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone over Anthony Pettis via third round submission
UFC 249 ESPN+ Pay-Per-View Main
Two title fights, a pair of heavyweight bouts and another featherweight scrap complete the return of the UFC to main card action.
Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje have the opportunity to not only steal the show, but claim “Fight of the Year” honors. They meet for the interim lightweight title.
In the co-main event, Henry Cejudo defends his bantamweight gold against former champion Dominick Cruz.
Predictions
* Greg Hardy over Yorgan de Castro via first round TKO
* Jeremy Stephens over Calvin Kattar via split decision
* Francis Ngannou over Jairzinho Rozenstruik via first round KO
* Henry Cejudo over Dominick Cruz via unanimous decision to remain UFC bantamweight champion
* Tony Ferguson over Justin Gaethje via second round submission to become the interim UFC lightweight champion
UFC 249 Fight Card
MAIN CARD (ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)
Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje
UFC Bantamweight Championship
Henry Cejudo (c) vs. Dominick Cruz
Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Featherweight: Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar
Heavyweight: Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro
Welterweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis
Heavyweight: Alexey Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum
Strawweight: Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson
Middleweight: Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey