UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes · Jun 08, 2019 · Lightweight · Completed
Prev Fight UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes Next Fight
Age 42
Height 5' 11"
Reach 76.0"
Weight 170 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Age 43
Height 6' 1"
Reach 73.0"
Weight 155 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Tony Ferguson
4.91 SLpM
45.0% Str. Acc.
4.37 SApM
55.0% Str. Def.
0.39 TD Avg
35.0% TD Acc.
66.0% TD Def.
0.9 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Donald Cerrone
4.41 SLpM
46.0% Str. Acc.
4.48 SApM
53.0% Str. Def.
1.16 TD Avg
33.0% TD Acc.
73.0% TD Def.
1.2 Sub. Avg
Tony Ferguson - Fight History
LOSS vs Michael Chiesa
Submission (rear-naked choke) R1 3:44 · UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov · Aug 03, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Michael Chiesa 0 10 of 18 55% 10 of 18 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 4 of 25 16% 4 of 25 1 of 1 100% 1 0 0:34
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Michael Chiesa 0 10 of 18 55% 10 of 18 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 4 of 25 16% 4 of 25 1 of 1 100% 1 0 0:34
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Michael Chiesa 10 of 18 55% 4 of 9 1 of 3 5 of 6 10 of 18 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 4 of 25 16% 3 of 23 1 of 2 0 of 0 4 of 25 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Michael Chiesa 10 of 18 55% 4 of 9 1 of 3 5 of 6 10 of 18 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 4 of 25 16% 3 of 23 1 of 2 0 of 0 4 of 25 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jul 28, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Angelo is very confident in Chiesa, calling Ferguson's seven-fight losing streak and CTE concerns. He thinks Chiesa's takedowns and top pressure will be too much for the faded Ferguson, who hasn't looked good in years. He says Chiesa at -400 should be -1500.

"Michael Kessa is going to be the pick"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Aug 1, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Big Brady thinks this fight should not be sanctioned due to Ferguson's seven-fight skid and brutal losses. He notes Ferguson has been submitted by Bobby Green and Nate Diaz, and Chiesa has been submitted five times but has three d'arce choke losses. He predicts Chiesa will take Ferguson down and finish him by first-round submission, but also mentions a sprinkle on Ferguson by submission at +1400 as a prop.

Tony Ferguson by submission +1400; fight ends by submission
"I'm going Cas a first round sub don't mind the sprinkle on the Tony Ferguson sub don't mind the fight ends by sub"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Hesitant picked Jul 30, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Cody picks Tony Ferguson as a wild underdog, citing Chiesa's poor cardio, tendency to get submitted, and mental lapses. He notes that Ferguson has incredible durability and confidence, and that Chiesa has been submitted by lesser grapplers. Cody thinks Ferguson can win by volume or submission if Chiesa tires. He acknowledges it's a risky bet but feels the line is too wide.

"I honestly do feel my heart like it's it's closer than that and for that reason wild Underdog pick I think I'm gonna go with Tony Ferguson as well."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert picked Jul 31, 2024 (3 days before fight)

Daniel refuses to pick a winner in this fight. He considers Chiesa a bully who can't take adversity and is overpriced at -750, while Ferguson is a shell of his former self on a seven-fight losing streak. He calls it a pass and says he won't pick either fighter.

"I refuse to give a pick on this one I you will not catch me dead saying the pick is minus 750 Michael Kessa in a UFC fight"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Aug 1, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

Chiesa has the grappling to keep Ferguson on his back, but he has been submitted in five of seven losses. I lean Chiesa by decision, but would not tie -610 to any parlays. The value is on Ferguson by submission at +1200.

Ferguson by submission +1200; would not tie -610 to parlays
"I'm still going to lean on Kessa to win this matchup by decision but no way would I tie minus 600 to any parlays the value is clearly on the Ferguson side"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Hesitant picked Jul 30, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Paul picks Tony Ferguson, noting that Chiesa is a -700 favorite but has lost three straight and has cardio issues. He thinks Ferguson can win a volume-based decision or even submit Chiesa, who leaves his neck out. Paul acknowledges it's a 'plug your nose' bet but feels the plus money is worth a small play. He also mentions that Ferguson's confidence is unshaken despite the losing streak.

"I bet Tony Ferguson plus 500 and I'm expecting the worst but uh hoping for the best."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 30, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Michael Chiesa

The MMA Guru picks Michael Chiesa over Tony Ferguson, citing Ferguson's age (40) and inability to wrestle. He expects Chiesa to use his size and strength to take Ferguson down and submit him, possibly by arm triangle. He notes Ferguson's training at Knuckleheads Boxing is not improving his game. He predicts a first or second round submission.

submission, arm triangle, round 1-2
"I'm going with Michael ker I think he's too big too strong and he'll out wrestle Tony Ferguson"
LOSS vs Paddy Pimblett
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington · Dec 16, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Paddy Pimblett 0 62 of 105 59% 90 of 134 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 1 106 of 165 64% 151 of 217 1 of 4 25% 0 0 8:53
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Paddy Pimblett 0 29 of 55 52% 31 of 57 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 1 70 of 104 67% 76 of 110 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:55
2 Paddy Pimblett 0 11 of 18 61% 18 of 25 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 19 of 27 70% 46 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 4:20
3 Paddy Pimblett 0 22 of 32 68% 41 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 17 of 34 50% 29 of 49 1 of 3 33% 0 0 3:38
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Paddy Pimblett 62 of 105 59% 35 of 66 23 of 35 4 of 4 51 of 91 0 of 0 11 of 14
Tony Ferguson 106 of 165 64% 73 of 127 13 of 17 20 of 21 66 of 109 0 of 0 40 of 56
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Paddy Pimblett 29 of 55 52% 16 of 32 10 of 20 3 of 3 29 of 55 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 70 of 104 67% 43 of 72 11 of 15 16 of 17 54 of 82 0 of 0 16 of 22
2 Paddy Pimblett 11 of 18 61% 8 of 15 2 of 2 1 of 1 6 of 11 0 of 0 5 of 7
Tony Ferguson 19 of 27 70% 16 of 24 2 of 2 1 of 1 4 of 9 0 of 0 15 of 18
3 Paddy Pimblett 22 of 32 68% 11 of 19 11 of 13 0 of 0 16 of 25 0 of 0 6 of 7
Tony Ferguson 17 of 34 50% 14 of 31 0 of 0 3 of 3 8 of 18 0 of 0 9 of 16
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Dec 10, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Angelo picks Paddy Pimblett confidently, stating that Tony Ferguson is a shell of his former self and that Paddy is a young, cocky prospect. He notes that Paddy is in his 'anti-40 parlay' and expects a dominant win, though he feels bad for Ferguson.

Anti-40 parlay leg
"a young cocky Patty is going to win this fight... Patty the baddy wins he is in that anti 40 parlay"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Dec 13, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Big Brady picks Paddy Pimblett to win by second-round submission, expressing strong disapproval that the fight is happening. He notes Tony Ferguson's six-fight losing streak, age (39), and accumulated damage, particularly after the Gaethje fight. Brady believes Ferguson is a shell of his former self, citing his poor performance against Bobby Green. He expects Pimblett to dominate and finish via submission or corner stoppage.

"give me Patty pimp to win this fight I'll say second round sub"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Dec 14, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Cody picks Pimblett, arguing that Ferguson's last two fights showed he is shot, and that Pimblett's strength and top control will be decisive. He notes that Ferguson has given up 11 minutes of control time in recent fights and cannot get back up. Cody also mentions that Pimblett has taken a year off to refresh and is training with good partners, while Ferguson's personal issues and drinking have affected his performance.

Paddy by submission
"got to go Patty this is another case in point where it's like the money line don't make sense so yeah he's the pick"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Dec 14, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Daniel Vreeland picks Paddy Pimblett, though he expresses sadness about picking against Tony Ferguson. He notes that Ferguson can no longer take a hit, especially after the Michael Chandler head kick. Vreeland believes Pimblett hits hard enough to knock out Ferguson, and that Ferguson's only path to victory is an early submission, which is unlikely. He expects Pimblett to win by knockout.

inside the distance at +115
"pimblett is the obvious pick here probably via finish"
JE
Jeff Fox Expert Confident picked Dec 14, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Jeff Fox picks Paddy Pimblett, stating that Ferguson is on a six-fight losing streak and has been finished in three straight. He notes that Pimblett is younger and more active, and that Ferguson's chin is gone. Fox believes Pimblett will finish Ferguson, possibly by knockout or submission.

inside the distance at +115
"I'm gonna take Patty pimp"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lock picked Dec 12, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Lucrative James is extremely confident Paddy Pimblett will win, calling it a setup fight. He believes Tony Ferguson is completely washed and on a seven-fight losing streak. He thinks Paddy will submit Ferguson, noting that Ferguson got submitted by Bobby Green and controlled by Charles Oliveira. He says Paddy should be a much heavier favorite and that the fight likely won't go to decision.

Paddy by submission.
"Paddy is going to run through Tony Ferguson... I think Paddy's going to submit him."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked Dec 12, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

The host picks Pimblett but with low confidence, noting that Ferguson is a shell of his former self on a long losing streak. He expects Pimblett to walk Ferguson down, land big shots, and take him to the ground to grind out a decision, similar to how Oliveira and Dariush beat Ferguson. However, he is wary of the minus 285 line and acknowledges Ferguson could pull off a submission if he hurts Pimblett. He calls it a 'tailor-made' fight for Pimblett but expresses unease.

Pimblett by decision
"I'm still going with Patty I think Patty uh likely I think I went with yeah I think he grinds this fight out very low confidence there"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Dec 14, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

Paul picks Pimblett, stating that Tony Ferguson is 'absolutely cooked' after a six-fight losing streak. He notes that Ferguson has been submitted by Bobby Green and has no ability to get back up once taken down, as seen against Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Paul believes Pimblett's strength and top control will be enough, and that the year off will have refreshed Pimblett. He expects a good version of Pimblett.

Paddy by submission
"Tony's so cooked... Patty the baddy for me I think Tony's just absolutely cooked"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Dec 12, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Paddy Pimblett

The Guru picks Paddy Pimblett over Tony Ferguson, citing Ferguson's decline, especially his wrestling defense and inability to get back up. He believes Pimblett is too big and strong, and that Ferguson's legs are shot from training with David Goggins. He predicts Pimblett will take Ferguson down, get his back, and submit him with a rear-naked choke in round one.

Pimblett by submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1
"I'm going paddy piml and I think what's going to happen is Ferguson's going to be looking good on the feet piml let's going to get take down pick him up dunk him on the ground... and sub him... via …"
LOSS vs King Green
Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) R3 4:54 · UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 · Jul 29, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
King Green 0 54 of 123 43% 62 of 138 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:13
Tony Ferguson 0 137 of 217 63% 145 of 227 0 of 0 --- 1 0 3:25
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 King Green 0 14 of 42 33% 15 of 43 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:13
Tony Ferguson 0 40 of 72 55% 40 of 72 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 King Green 0 16 of 36 44% 23 of 48 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 49 of 77 63% 57 of 87 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:36
3 King Green 0 24 of 45 53% 24 of 47 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 48 of 68 70% 48 of 68 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:49
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
King Green 54 of 123 43% 38 of 98 11 of 18 5 of 7 50 of 118 2 of 2 2 of 3
Tony Ferguson 137 of 217 63% 95 of 166 24 of 31 18 of 20 115 of 183 1 of 1 21 of 33
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 King Green 14 of 42 33% 11 of 33 2 of 6 1 of 3 14 of 42 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 40 of 72 55% 23 of 50 7 of 10 10 of 12 39 of 71 1 of 1 0 of 0
2 King Green 16 of 36 44% 14 of 32 2 of 4 0 of 0 13 of 32 1 of 1 2 of 3
Tony Ferguson 49 of 77 63% 38 of 66 8 of 8 3 of 3 31 of 48 0 of 0 18 of 29
3 King Green 24 of 45 53% 13 of 33 7 of 8 4 of 4 23 of 44 1 of 1 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 48 of 68 70% 34 of 50 9 of 13 5 of 5 45 of 64 0 of 0 3 of 4
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2023 (6 days before fight)
King Green

Angelo is very confident in Bobby Green, mainly due to Tony Ferguson being a shell of his former self after taking severe beatings. He notes Green's volume, accuracy, and takedown defense, and believes Green will outpoint Ferguson. He also suggests a sneaky bet on over 1.5 rounds because Green is not a one-punch KO artist and Ferguson is durable.

over 1.5 rounds
"Bobby is a very confident pick here I think a sneaky good bet is going to be over one and a half though if we're lucky enough to get a one and a half round line I think the over …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 24, 2023 (5 days before fight)
King Green

Big Brady picks Bobby Green to win by third-round knockout. He believes Tony Ferguson is washed after taking life-changing damage and looking terrible in recent fights. He notes Green is not a finisher but expects him to finish Ferguson, possibly by mercy stoppage. He thinks this fight should not be sanctioned and predicts the end of Ferguson's UFC run.

third round knockout
"give me Bobby green third round knockout and I think this will be the end of Tony Ferguson in the UFC"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jul 26, 2023 (3 days before fight)
King Green

Cody picks Green, citing Ferguson's decline after taking life-changing damage from Gaethje and Chandler. He notes Ferguson's takedown defense is poor (only one takedown in eight years) and his wrestling hasn't materialized. Green's boxing, takedown defense, and volume should outpoint Ferguson. He likes the prop of Green and over 1.5 rounds at -132.

Bobby Green and over 1.5 rounds -132
"I like Bobby green one of the sites that I bet at had like a Bobby green and over one and a half rounds at minus 132"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Jul 25, 2023 (4 days before fight)
King Green

James believes Ferguson is done, having lost five in a row and showing diminished durability and submission defense. He thinks Green can win, possibly by knockout, but is not confident enough to bet the moneyline. He leans under due to Green's recent finishes and Ferguson's decline.

under 2.5 rounds at plus money
"I can't put my money on Tony Ferguson at this stage of his career the guy's done"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 24, 2023 (5 days before fight)
King Green

Ferguson is on a five-fight losing streak and looks done. Green is a much more effective boxer than Diaz and will be aggressive after his last fight ended in a no contest. Green should outpoint Ferguson and possibly get a late stoppage. I'm leaning Green by decision but he might be more aggressive.

"I'm still going to lean with him to winning by decision as my final prediction but I think that we'll see him be a little bit more aggressive than we've seen in the past"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Jul 26, 2023 (3 days before fight)
King Green

Paul agrees, arguing Ferguson's wins haven't aged well and his style is outdated. He highlights Green's counter-punching and takedown defense, and Ferguson's lack of power and inability to overwhelm Green. He expects a decision win for Green with Ferguson bleeding and behind on the scorecards.

"I gotta go with Bobby green everybody seems like they're on the same page"
LOSS vs Nate Diaz
Submission (guillotine choke) R4 2:52 · UFC 279: Diaz vs. Ferguson · Sep 10, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nate Diaz 0 101 of 217 46% 101 of 217 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 80 of 172 46% 80 of 172 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:08
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nate Diaz 0 22 of 51 43% 22 of 51 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 19 of 45 42% 19 of 45 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
2 Nate Diaz 0 28 of 59 47% 28 of 59 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 20 of 51 39% 20 of 51 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Nate Diaz 0 26 of 56 46% 26 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 30 of 51 58% 30 of 51 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
4 Nate Diaz 0 25 of 51 49% 25 of 51 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 11 of 25 44% 11 of 25 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:08
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nate Diaz 101 of 217 46% 71 of 178 21 of 30 9 of 9 99 of 214 2 of 3 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 80 of 172 46% 23 of 106 23 of 27 34 of 39 80 of 172 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nate Diaz 22 of 51 43% 12 of 36 6 of 11 4 of 4 22 of 51 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 19 of 45 42% 5 of 28 7 of 8 7 of 9 19 of 45 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Nate Diaz 28 of 59 47% 19 of 49 7 of 8 2 of 2 28 of 59 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 20 of 51 39% 5 of 35 6 of 6 9 of 10 20 of 51 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Nate Diaz 26 of 56 46% 21 of 48 2 of 5 3 of 3 24 of 53 2 of 3 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 30 of 51 58% 12 of 31 5 of 5 13 of 15 30 of 51 0 of 0 0 of 0
4 Nate Diaz 25 of 51 49% 19 of 45 6 of 6 0 of 0 25 of 51 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 11 of 25 44% 1 of 12 5 of 8 5 of 5 11 of 25 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Sep 6, 2022 (4 days before fight)

Angelo picks Li Jingliang, citing Tony Ferguson's recent knockout and fast turnaround. He thinks Ferguson's chin is compromised and Jingliang's power and feints will confuse him. He notes Ferguson looked good against Chandler but was put out badly, and the three-month turnaround is too soon.

under on rounds (not specified which)
"I think he's blasted again and you know with that being said he did wrestle in college so he could do a grappling game plan but yeah we know him he's a warrior he's going to go out on his …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Sep 8, 2022 (2 days before fight)

Big Brady picks Li Jingliang to win by first-round knockout, expressing concern for Tony Ferguson's durability after taking massive damage in recent fights. He notes Ferguson is 38, moving up in weight, and has been knocked out brutally by Chandler. He highlights Li's power, having knocked out tough fighters like Ponzinibbio and Salikhov, and predicts an early finish.

first round knockout
"I think the leech knocks out Tony Ferguson and I think he does it in the first or second round."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Sep 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)

Cody is confident that Khamzat Chimaev will win, noting that Chimaev is a massive favorite and that Nate Diaz is an undersized former 155-pounder. He believes Chimaev's size and strength will be too much, and that Diaz's jiu-jitsu won't be a factor. Cody mentions that the only value is in props like Chimaev over 1.5 takedowns, and he doesn't see Diaz winning even one out of ten times.

Chimaev over 1.5 takedowns on PrizePicks; over 1.5 rounds at -165
"i don't even think nate diaz wins one out of ten times against times out chemical to be perfectly honest"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Sep 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)

Daniel Levi picks Khamzat Chimaev to win, citing Chimaev's wrestling and power as key factors. He acknowledges Diaz's durability and ability to survive, but believes Chimaev's improvements and pacing will lead to victory. Levi notes that Diaz's age and scar tissue could be issues, and he expects Chimaev to dominate with ground and pound. He is not betting the moneyline due to the heavy juice, but is confident in Chimaev's win.

No value on moneyline; over/under not posted but curious about over 1.5 rounds due to Diaz's durability
"I gotta go with hamza chimayo up here... I'm just not sure if it's going to be a finish or if nate's going to last the full five which he is known for doing so."
JA
Jacob Lines Expert Confident picked Sep 6, 2022 (4 days before fight)

Jacob picks Li Jingliang, emphasizing his feints and angles will give Ferguson PTSD. He thinks Ferguson will be gun-shy and react big to feints. He notes Ferguson could wrestle but doubts he will, and even if he does, Jingliang's takedown defense may hold. He calls it a bad matchup for Ferguson.

"It would be the most Tony Ferguson thing ever to win this fight for that reason I didn't put any money on Lee the odds are getting a little bit wide now but he's still gonna I mean it's Tony …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Sep 9, 2022 (1 day before fight)

The host is extremely confident in Khamzat Chimaev, expecting him to take Nate Diaz down immediately and smash him on the ground. He dismisses Diaz's durability and jiu-jitsu, citing Chimaev's wrestling and size. He took under 1.5 rounds at +120 and suggests Chimaev round one at +165.

under 1.5 rounds (+120), Khamzat Chimaev round one (+165 to +180)
"Hamzat is going to get Nate down without any issues and then he's going to smash him on the mat."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Sep 7, 2022 (3 days before fight)

Paul picks Chimaev to win but expresses concerns about his cardio and persona. He notes that Chimaev's fight with Gilbert Burns showed he is human and may have cardio issues, and that the five-round fight could favor Diaz if Chimaev tires. However, he believes Chimaev has learned from that fight and will hold down Diaz more easily. Paul also mentions the over 1.5 rounds and over on takedowns as props.

over 1.5 rounds; over on takedowns
"i think he wins i got the over one and a half and i've got the over on the takedowns just like you said"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 10, 2022 (fight day)
Tony Ferguson

The MMA Guru picks Tony Ferguson to win by 48-47 decision. He predicts Ferguson wins rounds 1, 2, and 4, while Diaz wins round 3, and round 5 is a stalemate. Ferguson chews up Diaz's leg and body with teeps and front kicks, lands elbows that cut Diaz, and freestyles with 360 body shots. Diaz has moments, including a takedown in round 3, but Ferguson scrambles out and lands more. The fight ends with both swinging, but Ferguson's output edges him the win.

decision 48-47
"I believe Tony Ferguson is going to win this fight 48-47"
KO (front kick) R2 0:17 · UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje · May 07, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Michael Chandler 1 27 of 53 50% 43 of 73 1 of 1 100% 0 0 2:31
Tony Ferguson 0 20 of 50 40% 27 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Michael Chandler 0 26 of 52 50% 42 of 72 1 of 1 100% 0 0 2:29
Tony Ferguson 0 20 of 50 40% 27 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Michael Chandler 1 1 of 1 100% 1 of 1 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Tony Ferguson 0 0 of 0 --- 0 of 0 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Michael Chandler 27 of 53 50% 15 of 39 6 of 8 6 of 6 18 of 38 0 of 0 9 of 15
Tony Ferguson 20 of 50 40% 13 of 38 2 of 7 5 of 5 17 of 42 0 of 0 3 of 8
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Michael Chandler 26 of 52 50% 14 of 38 6 of 8 6 of 6 17 of 37 0 of 0 9 of 15
Tony Ferguson 20 of 50 40% 13 of 38 2 of 7 5 of 5 17 of 42 0 of 0 3 of 8
2 Michael Chandler 1 of 1 100% 1 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0 1 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 0 of 0 --- 0 of 0 0 of 0 0 of 0 0 of 0 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chandler (-380), Ferguson (+290)

Round 1
At one time, Ferguson (25-6, 15-4 UFC) had amassed an outstanding 12-fight win streak, where he claimed the interim title at one point, but he has fallen on hard times the last few years. On a three-fight skid, “El Cucuy” is at a crossroads at the age of 38, and he will take on hard-charging, granite-chinned Chandler (22-7, 1-2 UFC) in a match that still holds significance at 155 pounds. Referee Jason Herzog may have his hands full depending on how this battle plays out, and these two hope to bring out a firefight while not bothering to touch gloves. Ferguson reaches out with a low kick to see how far he can reach, and Chandler picks his leg up and scoots back. Ferguson arcs out a standing elbow, expecting Chandler to come at him, but Chandler does not oblige. Ferguson’s front kick brushes pass Chandler’s hand, and Chandler chops down the leg with a pair of heavy kicks. Chandler just misses with a left hook, and Ferguson meets him in the middle with his own left. Ferguson clips the former Bellator champ with a left hand, and he kicks high and stings Chandler. Ferguson hurts him again with a few punches, and he backs Chandler up to the wall. Ferguson does not go wild, instead working the body and getting caught with a left hand. They trade heavily and both connect and get the other’s attention, and it is Ferguson that lands the flusher strikes and backs Chandler off. Chandler throws a leg kick, only to get countered over the top. Blasting through with a double, “Iron Mike” knocks Ferguson clean off his feet with a tackling takedown, and Ferguson kicks off the fence and slashes with elbows off his back to open a cut on Chandler’s head. Ferguson cleverly holds on to Chandler with his feet on his hips, and he pushes Chandler off and nearly flips his man over as he keeps a high guard and attempts to hook up an omoplata. Ferguson snatches hold of a triangle choke until Chandler blasts him in the face, and he loads up on several punches to make Ferguson readjust his attempts at submission. Ferguson protests that Chandler is lowering his head down and clacking him in the face with his forehead, and Herzog warns Ferguson for grabbing the fence. Ferguson turns and nearly sweeps, but Chandler deftly remains on top and gets off some short ground-and-pound. Ferguson hacks with elbows off his back, and the blood from Chandler is leaking down into Ferguson’s eyes. Chandler looses a few punches and cuts Ferguson’s right eye, and the thrilling round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson

Round 2
Between rounds, Chandler’s right eye swells up substantially, but he does not appear remotely concerned about it as the round opens up. Before Ferguson can throw a single punch, Chandler summons all of his strength and calls on the legends of Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida to empower his right leg. In the most spectacular move tonight by a landslide, Chandler smashes the ball of his foot into Ferguson’s chin, and the light fades from Ferguson’s eyes in an instant. “El Cucuy” topples over, completely unconscious, and he slumps over on his face and is communing with his ancestors. Chandler celebrates, knowing there is nothing left for him to do today, and he hits several back flips in rapid succession, sticking the landing for each and every one. The video cuts to Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett in the crowd, and appropriately so, as this knockout might have topped her incredible spinning back elbow earlier this year with the cleanest front kick knockout you will ever see. As Chandler is with his team, Ferguson is still out, but he finally manages to come around to the delight of everyone in the building. What an incredible knockout, one that will stand on highlight reels for years to come. Absolutely amazing. To top it off, Chandler calls for a fight with Conor McGregor in his post-fight interview, but good luck getting “Notorious” to take that fight after witnessing that astounding knockout.

The Official Result
Michael Chandler def. Tony Ferguson R2 0:17 via KO (Front Kick)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Apr 30, 2022 (7 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

Angelo picks Michael Chandler, stating that everything Tony Ferguson does well, Chandler does better. He believes Chandler's chin has held up after the Gaethje war and expects a war similar to Chandler's last fight. He notes that Ferguson may not be the same after the Gaethje loss.

"every single thing that tony does well michael chandler does it better"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked May 2, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

Big Brady picks Michael Chandler to win by decision. He notes that the blueprint to beat Ferguson is to take him down and control him, as Oliveira and Dariush did. However, Chandler is more of a striker and may not follow that blueprint. Brady thinks Chandler's power and wrestling could still get the job done, and he expects Chandler to mix in takedowns and win minutes on top. He is not laying -400 on Chandler but believes he will cruise to a decision. He acknowledges Ferguson's toughness and danger on the feet but thinks Chandler is closer to his prime.

decision
"I'll take chandler to you know strike with ferguson mix in the takedowns and if he does mix in those takedowns I think he will be winning minutes on the mat on top staying safe"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked May 4, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

Cody picks Michael Chandler but also dislikes the -380 price. He provides a detailed breakdown of Ferguson's decline, noting that Ferguson hasn't looked good in years, even in wins. Cody points out that Ferguson's game hasn't evolved, he trains alone, and his unorthodox style is no longer effective. He believes Chandler's wrestling and power will be too much, and that Chandler can take Ferguson's best shots. Cody expects Chandler to dominate early and possibly knock Ferguson out, but acknowledges Ferguson could win 3 out of 10 times.

"i expect chandler to absolutely dominate early um probably land big and uh if ferguson survives things could get interesting"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 5, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

Daniel Levi picks Michael Chandler confidently, though he does not bet the fight due to the high price. He notes Chandler's first-round explosiveness and wrestling fallback, while Ferguson has declined significantly, losing 11 straight rounds. He thinks Chandler's speed and power are too much for this version of Ferguson, but he is not interested in laying -425. He passes on betting entirely.

Daniel does not bet this fight. He mentions the over 1.5 rounds prop but does not play it.
"I obviously favor Chandler to win because even if he doesn't find that round one finish, I do think he can go back to that wrestling base."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked May 6, 2022 (1 day before fight)
Michael Chandler

The host picks Michael Chandler to win by first-round knockout. He questions Chandler's wrestling approach, expecting him to stand and trade. He notes Ferguson's unorthodox style and durability, but believes Chandler's power will find the chin early. He is not betting Chandler at -400, but likes 'fight doesn't go to decision' at -180 and Ferguson submission at +750 as small shots. He acknowledges Ferguson's crafty jiu-jitsu and Chandler's history of being knocked out.

fight doesn't go to decision -180; Ferguson by submission +750; Ferguson round 3 KO +3300
"i'm going uh chandler first round knockout"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked May 4, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

Paul picks Michael Chandler to win but is not confident at -380. He thinks Ferguson is washed and that Chandler will dominate early, possibly getting a finish. However, Paul is more interested in the 'fight goes to decision' prop at +150, citing Ferguson's durability. He notes that Ferguson has only been knocked out once (by Gaethje) and is tough to finish, so the decision prop offers value.

fight goes to decision at +150
"i think chandler wins probably not round one maybe around maybe he gets a finish but i'm actually been kind of more interested i see uh some alternate lines out there for like fight goes to decision plus 150"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 2, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Michael Chandler

The MMA Guru picks Michael Chandler by first-round KO, believing Tony Ferguson is done. He argues Ferguson's ground game is overrated and that Chandler can take him down or KO him. He notes Chandler's speed and leg kicks, and that Ferguson's chin is up in the air. He thinks Chandler will slip inside Ferguson's jab and land a big right hand. He also mentions Chandler has more to fight for, including a potential McGregor fight.

"i'm gonna go michael chandler first round ko"
LOSS vs Beneil Dariush
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler · May 15, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Beneil Dariush 0 15 of 34 44% 37 of 59 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:05
Tony Ferguson 0 23 of 55 41% 76 of 142 3 of 6 50% 1 1 12:15
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Beneil Dariush 0 7 of 18 38% 13 of 24 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 10 of 28 35% 32 of 66 1 of 2 50% 0 0 3:40
2 Beneil Dariush 0 2 of 4 50% 11 of 16 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:05
Tony Ferguson 0 6 of 14 42% 26 of 41 1 of 2 50% 1 1 4:04
3 Beneil Dariush 0 6 of 12 50% 13 of 19 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 7 of 13 53% 18 of 35 1 of 2 50% 0 0 4:31
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Beneil Dariush 15 of 34 44% 10 of 29 5 of 5 0 of 0 6 of 23 1 of 1 8 of 10
Tony Ferguson 23 of 55 41% 16 of 48 3 of 3 4 of 4 15 of 44 1 of 1 7 of 10
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Beneil Dariush 7 of 18 38% 6 of 17 1 of 1 0 of 0 2 of 13 1 of 1 4 of 4
Tony Ferguson 10 of 28 35% 6 of 24 1 of 1 3 of 3 9 of 27 1 of 1 0 of 0
2 Beneil Dariush 2 of 4 50% 1 of 3 1 of 1 0 of 0 1 of 3 0 of 0 1 of 1
Tony Ferguson 6 of 14 42% 5 of 13 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 6 0 of 0 5 of 8
3 Beneil Dariush 6 of 12 50% 3 of 9 3 of 3 0 of 0 3 of 7 0 of 0 3 of 5
Tony Ferguson 7 of 13 53% 5 of 11 2 of 2 0 of 0 5 of 11 0 of 0 2 of 2
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tony Ferguson vs. Beneil Dariush

Round 1
Up next is the long-awaited co-main event, which sees Ferguson (25-5, 15-3 UFC) try to snap the first losing streak of his career against the surging Dariush (20-4-1, 14-4-1 UFC). Hold on to your hats, this one is about to get crazy. Referee Mike Beltran clocks them in and they do not touch gloves, preferring to let their hands settle things instead. Ferguson stutter-steps forward into a left hand, but he is no worse for wear from it. Dariush kicks across Ferguson’s leg to his surprise, and he darts in with a left hook that falls short. Dariush charges in to attack, and Ferguson eats a few shots but is slick and moving everywhere to avoid the shots. Dariush scores another unusual leg kick to Ferguson’s rear leg, and Dariush is ready to brawl and throws hands to catch Ferguson off-guard. Dariush presses forward, and he hits a body lock takedown to plant Ferguson on his back. Ferguson kicks him off, scores an upkick, and pulls a high rubber guard when Dariush climbs back down. Dariush ignores it and pushes through to land a few punches to the body, but “El Cucuy” is holding him tight and elbowing him on the side of the head a few times. Ferguson looks to set up a triangle choke, but when that fails, he recovers his guard. Dariush sits up to start nailing Ferguson with punches and elbows, and Ferguson takes them on the chin all while continuing to hack back with elbows. Ferguson rolls over to nearly sweep Dariush, but he is pushed back over and finds himself surrendering half guard. Dariush steps over to set up an arm-triangle choke, and Ferguson looks to roll through and attack with an armbar as he pushes off the fence. Dariush sees it coming and flows with him, where he slides into Ferguson’s butterfly guard. The Kings MMA fighter resecures half guard, and he steps over to the other side to land some ground-and-pound. When Dariush looks to congratulate him for the round, Ferguson pushes him away to go back to his corner.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dariush
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dariush
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dariush

Round 2
The second round begins with Ferguson taking the center of the cage, and Dariush kicks his lead leg. Ferguson falls down Dariush looks to take him down. Instead of succumbing to a bad position, Ferguson attacks a brabo choke from his back against the wall. Dariush stays patient and unconcerned with the submission until Ferguson bails on it, where he looks to pull Ferguson’s legs out from beneath him. Dariush pulls him off the fence to put Ferguson flat on his back, and Dariush in full guard starts slugging away at Ferguson. Dariush ignores Ferguson’s flailing on his back to smash his fists on Ferguson’s head, and elbows and punches land until Ferguson tries to push him away. Dariush stays committed to keeping Ferguson grounded, and Ferguson attacks with a submission to get Dariush to back off. Ferguson sweeps Dariush in a wild scramble, and Dariush pulls him back down to attack a heel hook. Ferguson is in serious agony, and he grimaces but does not yell out and instead kicks Dariush in the chest to break the grip. As Dariush loosens the grip, he climbs over on top. Dariush steps into half guard, where he threatens with an arm-triangle choke but is more intent on smothering Ferguson’s face with his chest. Ferguson elbows him a few times, but Dariush does not care as he stays pressed heavy to the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dariush
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dariush
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dariush

Round 3
Ferguson’s leg is severely compromised from the heel hook, and he tries to use his tricky movement but does not have his wheels about him. Dariush walks through any strikes to grab hold of Ferguson, and “El Cucuy” latches on to a guillotine choke. Dariush lifts him up and slams him down, where he breaks the grip and gains an advantageous position. The two end up in a north-south position as Ferguson kicks off the fence, but Dariush expertly traverses the guard to try to get side control. The crowd chants “stand them up,” and these chants echo through the Toyota Center, Beltran asks the fighters to keep moving. Dariush pulls on his adversary to try to get Ferguson’s legs away from the cage, and the two are in a grappling stalemate with no strikes thrown of any kind. Dariush grinds his elbow on Ferguson’s chin, and Ferguson holds on tight but is not doing anything of note either. This odd north-south posture continues as fans grow more restless, and Dariush hops over to side control. Ferguson looks to set up an arm-triangle choke from his back like Maurice Greene pulled off on Gian Villante, but Dariush breaks the grip and hops over on top. Ferguson rolls through and the two get back to their north-south with Ferguson’s feet on the cage, and Dariush spins through to try to land strikes. Ferguson closes his guard and Dariush lands a few short punches to the body. Dariush finishes the fight with a few punches from above, and Ferguson answers with elbows to end this disappointing yet one-sided lightweight clash.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dariush (30-27 Dariush)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dariush (30-27 Dariush)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dariush (30-27 Dariush)

The Official Result
Beneil Dariush def. Tony Ferguson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked May 11, 2021 (4 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

Ferguson has taken massive damage and looks diminished. Dariush is a BJJ black belt with good striking and takedowns. He can implement a similar game plan to Oliveira: take Ferguson down and control him. Ferguson is tough to finish, so I expect a decision win for Dariush.

"I'll take minil daryush i'm gonna say he wins by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked May 12, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

Cody also picks Dariush, emphasizing Ferguson's decline and poor game plans. He notes that Ferguson's wins are aging and he hasn't knocked anyone out in years. Cody believes Dariush is a thinking man's fighter who will use takedowns and top control to win. He points out that Ferguson's takedown defense is weak and his submission game is not a threat from the bottom. Cody expects Dariush to win the first round and then secure a decision.

Live betting: back Ferguson after the first round if he drops it. Monkey Knife Fight: double over on significant strikes.
"i'm going to go with daniel daryush and uh neil darius by decision due to the takedowns that'll be the difference"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 13, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

Daniel Levi picks Beneil Dariush, emphasizing Ferguson's decline since his knee injury and the Gaethje fight. He notes Dariush's six-fight win streak, knockout power, and jiu-jitsu credentials, and believes Dariush can mix takedowns and avoid submissions. Levi is concerned about Dariush's tendency to leave openings and gas, but thinks Ferguson's durability and chin have diminished. He expects Dariush to dominate and win via decision or late stoppage.

mentions Dariush's chin and gas tank as concerns, but still picks him
"i'm going to go with neil daryus to get this one done here"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked May 13, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

The host picks Dariush but is not confident, noting Ferguson's chaotic style could cause problems. He thinks Dariush should have a grappling advantage and grind out a decision, but worries about Ferguson's ability to create volatility. He says he is not running to the betting window on Dariush.

Dariush by decision
"ultimately i will go with neil i'll go with him to win this fight and grind this fight out by decision but i'm not right right run into the to the betting window to bed darry you share"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked May 12, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

Paul picks Dariush, citing Ferguson's decline. He notes that Ferguson has lost to elite guys and looked abysmal in his last two fights. Paul believes Dariush's wrestling and game planning will be key, as he can take Ferguson down and neutralize him, similar to what Oliveira did. He mentions that Ferguson's takedown defense is poor and his submission game is not a threat from the bottom. Paul expects Dariush to win by decision, using takedowns to control the fight.

Live betting opportunity: back Ferguson after the first round if he drops it. Monkey Knife Fight: double over on significant strikes (48.5 for Dariush, 38.5 for Ferguson).
"i'm going to go with daniel daryush and uh neil darius by decision due to the takedowns that'll be the difference"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 9, 2021 (6 days before fight)
Beneil Dariush

The MMA Guru picks Beneil Dariush over Tony Ferguson, citing Ferguson's age and recent decline. He notes that Ferguson's wins are aging poorly and that Dariush thrives under chaos, which is key against Ferguson. He predicts Dariush will control the fight with grappling and win a unanimous decision 29-28.

"i'm going with benildaryushman"
Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26) R3 5:00 · UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno · Dec 12, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Charles Oliveira 0 19 of 42 45% 26 of 49 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:05
Tony Ferguson 0 41 of 63 65% 86 of 112 3 of 3 100% 3 0 11:39
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Charles Oliveira 0 11 of 29 37% 11 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 16 of 28 57% 28 of 43 1 of 1 100% 2 0 3:35
2 Charles Oliveira 0 6 of 7 85% 11 of 12 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 12 of 16 75% 34 of 38 1 of 1 100% 0 0 4:05
3 Charles Oliveira 0 2 of 6 33% 4 of 8 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:05
Tony Ferguson 0 13 of 19 68% 24 of 31 1 of 1 100% 1 0 3:59
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Charles Oliveira 19 of 42 45% 14 of 29 3 of 10 2 of 3 15 of 38 1 of 1 3 of 3
Tony Ferguson 41 of 63 65% 26 of 43 7 of 11 8 of 9 17 of 34 0 of 0 24 of 29
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Charles Oliveira 11 of 29 37% 7 of 21 2 of 5 2 of 3 11 of 29 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 16 of 28 57% 12 of 22 1 of 3 3 of 3 9 of 19 0 of 0 7 of 9
2 Charles Oliveira 6 of 7 85% 5 of 5 1 of 2 0 of 0 2 of 3 1 of 1 3 of 3
Tony Ferguson 12 of 16 75% 6 of 9 3 of 4 3 of 3 4 of 6 0 of 0 8 of 10
3 Charles Oliveira 2 of 6 33% 2 of 3 0 of 3 0 of 0 2 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 13 of 19 68% 8 of 12 3 of 4 2 of 3 4 of 9 0 of 0 9 of 10
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Dec 9, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Big Brady picks Tony Ferguson to win by third-round knockout. He believes Ferguson's pace and volume will break Oliveira, who has cardio issues and has been finished in six of seven losses. He notes Oliveira's improved striking but thinks Ferguson's pressure and durability will be key. He is not in love with the -170 line but might look at inside the distance or under props.

inside the distance, under 2.5 rounds
"i'm going with ferguson to get a third round knockout win"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Hesitant picked Dec 11, 2020 (1 day before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Daniel acknowledges Ferguson's historical superiority and higher level of competition, but expresses concerns about Ferguson's recent interviews and potential damage from the Gaethje fight. He thinks Oliveira's boxing has improved but is not convinced Oliveira has truly turned a corner. He ultimately picks Ferguson but calls it a dog-or-pass situation, noting he is not confident.

dog or pass
"i'm gonna row with tony ferguson to get this one done but uh we'll see what happens man this is a fight that i'm very very intrigued to watch"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Dec 7, 2020 (5 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Ferguson's relentless pressure and unorthodox style will break Oliveira, who has historically folded under pressure. Oliveira's best chance is an early finish, but if it goes past the first round, Ferguson will drown him. Ferguson's cardio and durability are superior. Expect a second-round TKO or submission for Ferguson.

Under 2.5 rounds; Ferguson by second-round TKO or submission
"i'll go with tony ferguson to win this fight probably by second round uh ko or submission"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Dec 6, 2020 (6 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

The MMA Guru picks Tony Ferguson, despite many picking Oliveira. He believes Ferguson's chin, experience against better competition, and ability to win on the feet will be key. He expects Ferguson to win by TKO in the third round. He notes Oliveira's tendency to slow down and fail at the top level.

TKO in the third round; draw is a good bet
"i'm going to go with t ferg a lot of people disrespecting tony ferguson i feel like a lot of people want me to kind of pick charles olivieri here i'm going to go with tony ferg"
LOSS vs Justin Gaethje
TKO (punch) R5 3:39 · UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje · May 09, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Justin Gaethje 0 136 of 296 45% 136 of 296 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 143 of 197 72% 143 of 197 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Justin Gaethje 0 29 of 54 53% 29 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 26 of 37 70% 26 of 37 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Justin Gaethje 0 33 of 64 51% 33 of 64 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 37 of 50 74% 37 of 50 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Justin Gaethje 0 24 of 69 34% 24 of 69 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 20 of 35 57% 20 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
4 Justin Gaethje 0 36 of 73 49% 36 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 26 of 36 72% 26 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
5 Justin Gaethje 0 14 of 36 38% 14 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tony Ferguson 0 34 of 39 87% 34 of 39 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Justin Gaethje 136 of 296 45% 64 of 212 36 of 43 36 of 41 136 of 296 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 143 of 197 72% 100 of 153 13 of 14 30 of 30 143 of 197 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Justin Gaethje 29 of 54 53% 13 of 36 10 of 11 6 of 7 29 of 54 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 26 of 37 70% 15 of 25 4 of 5 7 of 7 26 of 37 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Justin Gaethje 33 of 64 51% 17 of 47 3 of 4 13 of 13 33 of 64 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 37 of 50 74% 24 of 37 4 of 4 9 of 9 37 of 50 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Justin Gaethje 24 of 69 34% 13 of 57 5 of 6 6 of 6 24 of 69 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 20 of 35 57% 14 of 29 3 of 3 3 of 3 20 of 35 0 of 0 0 of 0
4 Justin Gaethje 36 of 73 49% 17 of 50 13 of 16 6 of 7 36 of 73 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 26 of 36 72% 18 of 28 1 of 1 7 of 7 26 of 36 0 of 0 0 of 0
5 Justin Gaethje 14 of 36 38% 4 of 22 5 of 6 5 of 8 14 of 36 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tony Ferguson 34 of 39 87% 29 of 34 1 of 1 4 of 4 34 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
UFC Interim Lightweight Title Fight Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje

Round 1
Here we go, folks. It’s time for the main event, and the bonus checks have practically already been written for these two. For the interim lightweight belt, and a chance to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a potentially thrilling encounter between Ferguson (25-3, 15-1 UFC) and Gaethje (21-2, 4-2 UFC). Together, the two have pocketed 15 post-fight bonuses in their last 16 fights, and referee Herb Dean will look to keep things clean as they head into glorious battle. The glove touch leads into a few seconds of circling until Ferguson throws a front kick. Gaethje opens up with a leg kick, but it is shy of the mark. Tony turns his back to showboat a little, and then throws a superman punch that chains into a two punch combination. Gaethje loses his balance, but regains it quickly to throw a heavy left hand. Ferguson rolls with it, and eats a leg kick. Ferguson takes another hard leg kick and tries to counter over the top, but Gaethje is ready for him with a two-punch salvo. Ferguson scores an inside leg kick that slightly trips Gaethje, but “The Highlight” still manages to land a right hand. A thumping left hook from Gaethje surprises Ferguson, but “El Cucuy” is not too concerned with it. Ferguson jabs to the body and ducks down just in time to avoid a lethal left hook. Ferguson catches Gaethje with a head kick and immediately sticks him with a jab. Gaethje bullies him over, and Ferguson rolls out to get back up. Gaethje connects with another nasty leg kick, and both swing with crazy right hands that just miss. “The Highlight” scores a few more short kicks, and Ferguson is smiling at him as he tries to stick out long punches and kicks. Ferguson digs in with a low kick, and gets countered with a right hand that makes him stumble. A small mouse has formed on the center of Ferguson’s forehead, and he takes another right hand right to the same spot. They jab each other, and both crack each other with vicious left hooks. Gaethje comes at him with another, and a glancing eye poke leads to an apology from Gaethje. The round end with both men kicking at each other.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje

Round 2
They greet each other with punches in the face, as Ferguson sneaks in with another superman punch and Gaethje comes back with a right hand. They load up on big punches, and Gaethje connects with a blistering left hook but Ferguson takes it without issue. A thin trickle of blood appears to be coming from the nose of Gaethje, but he does not care as he commits to a thunderous left hand that nearly lifts Ferguson off the ground. Ferguson does not even show a wobble in his step, but takes a low kick when trying to show he is not hurt. Another kick from Gaethje makes Ferguson visibly react to it, and Ferguson swings and misses with a big hook. Gaethje throws one back that blows his hair back, and then clashes a right hand off the dome of his opponent. These two are trading one for the other, and both are having their moments of success. A one-two from Ferguson does not bother Gaethje, who replies with much heavier punches. The ex-WSOF champ rips to the body and then fires a left on the side of Ferguson’s head. Gaethje is loading up on all his punches, and busts up the nose of Ferguson and damages his eye. Gaethje swings from downtown to nail Ferguson on the head, but the former interim champ does not appear to be too concerned. Ferguson spins with a back elbow, and then turns about to land a leg kick. As Ferguson overcommits to an overhand right, a leg kick from Gaethje nearly buckles his knee. Gaethje digs deep and wings a right hand that would put most fighters on the canvas, but Ferguson wades through it. Two punches from Gaethje crack Ferguson on the chin, but like before, there is no reaction. With the round about to end, both men fire Mortal Kombat-esque uppercuts, and Ferguson lands flush and drops Gaethje. What a way to end the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje

Round 3
The two are not afraid to engage in Round 3, Ferguson is taking heavy shots but walks through them to land his own. The power significantly in the favor of Gaethje, Ferguson’s durability is unbelievable as he takes a picture-perfect right and left that bust him open. The damage is instant, as he is bleeding out of the side of his left eye while there is also a cut and a mouse forming under his right. Ferguson leaps forward with a trick punch, but Gaethje times it with a left hand to back him off. They time uppercuts on one another, and a crisp right hook nearly knocks Ferguson down. Gaethje senses he has him hurt, finally, and Gaethje is swinging to finish the fight. Ferguson comes back with an uppercut, and blows his nose out while walking him down. Gaethje cracks Ferguson about as good as anyone could possibly land, and Ferguson takes it like no one else. “El Cucuy” strings together a few punches while avoiding the counter left hook that comes his way. Ferguson catches him on the end of a left hand, but Gaethje is still loading up on right hands that are connecting with ferocious intent. A few jabs to the body force a momentary deep breath from Gaethje, and Ferguson sweeps low to kick Gaethje’s legs out. Ferguson starts to get loose, faking wild arm movement to get his way in and tag Gaethje. Gaethje cracks him with a head kick and follows it with a ridiculous right hand, and yet again Ferguson eats it. A leg kick from Gaethje and a few kicks from each fighter conclude this ludicrous round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje

Round 4
Gaethje begins the round with a heavy leg kick, and Ferguson is hunched low perhaps to throw Gaethje off. Ferguson’s corner Eddie Bravo recommended that Ferguson pursue an Imanari roll to surprise Gaethje, which could be the reason for his low stance. Ferguson misses with a wheel kick, and Gaethje comes back with a powerful right hand. “El Cucuy” loads up on an elbow but he get caught on the way in, and when he tries to gain distance, he gets clipped with a right. Lefts and rights are coming en masse for Gaethje, but the former WSOF champion lands an incredibly successful leg kick that makes Ferguson grimace as he spins around. Ferguson sneaks him with a left hand, and Gaethje returns fire with a devastating right hand that wobbles his legs. That shot finally damaged the chin of Ferguson, and the leg kicks have been helping as well. Ferguson avoids some damage while spinning against the fence, and they get back to the center of the cage while Gaethje rips a few more leg kicks. Ferguson gets his sea legs about him, and as they come together, a low kick from Ferguson lands low. Gaethje shakes it off, and Dean pauses it for just a moment before Gaethje waves him off to keep fighting. Gaethje does not want to let Ferguson off the hook, but Ferguson is the one engaging now in the form of a multitude of jabs off the bow. As Ferguson goes for another jab, Gaethje blasts the lead leg and makes Ferguson’s knee buckle. Ferguson somehow manages to walk through it, so Gaethje gives one more for good measure. Both men trade head kicks, and the fourth round is now in the books.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje

Round 5
Gaethje shows no fear as he begins the round with a right hand and a leg kick that gives Ferguson pause. Ferguson manages to check the kick, and his shins are bleeding as a result. A right hand from Gaethje stings him, and Ferguson wears it well to get back his composure. Gaethje racks him with two more punches, and a leg kick forces Ferguson to limp. Ferguson kicks Gaethje’s leg, and Gaethje is not thrilled with having to each that along with another that follows. Two punches from Ferguson are countered by Gaethje, who clubs him in the face with punches that make Ferguson do the chicken dance. Hurt again, Ferguson bounces back against the fence, but still manages to come back around. In a desperate effort, Ferguson rolls for that Imanari roll, but Gaethje is a long way away. Ferguson gets back up, and Gaethje makes him pay for it with a few loud leg kicks and thudding right hands. He connects with another few right hands, and Ferguson wears them shocking well given how much damage he has accumulated over the course of the fight. The head strike totals from Gaethje are likely astronomical,
and a stiff left jab sends Ferguson into a walking stupor. Ferguson is falling across the cage, and Gaethje chases him down while Ferguson’s eyes are badly damaged and blinded with blood. A few more punches from Gaethje force Dean to intervene and stop the fight, and this is a righteous stoppage even though Ferguson doesn’t agree with it. What a battle, what total mayhem that was.
Gaethje is now the first fighter to ever knock out the otherworldly durable Ferguson. Justin Gaethje is now the new interim UFC lightweight champion, and scored himself a chance to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov. In his post-fight interview, Gaethje hurls the interim belt off of his waist, and tells Joe Rogan, “I want the real one.”

The Official Result
Justin Gaethje def. Tony Ferguson R5 3:39 via TKO (Punches)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 30, 2020 (9 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Big Brady picks Tony Ferguson, expecting him to break Gaethje over time by wearing him down. He notes Gaethje's tendency to tire and get hit, and Ferguson's never been finished by strikes. He predicts a knockout in the third or fourth round. However, he criticizes the line at minus 185 as too wide, suggesting it should be closer to a pick'em, and sees value on Gaethje.

Ferguson by knockout in round 3 or 4; line minus 185 is too wide; value on Gaethje
"I like Ferguson to win, but I just do not like that line of like minus 185. I think that's crazy."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 5, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Daniel Levi picks Tony Ferguson, citing Ferguson's insane pace, unorthodox footwork, and front kicks to the gut. He believes Ferguson will drown Gaethje in the later rounds, though he acknowledges Gaethje's power and cardio. Levi notes that Ferguson's chin tends to lift when teeing off, which could be dangerous against Gaethje, but he trusts Ferguson's ability to avoid a concussive blow and take over.

"I think if he does get past this early going doesn't eat that concussive blow that puts him out I think he's gonna start to pick apart just engage I think those front kicks to the gut the jabs there's …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked May 6, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Tony Ferguson

Matt picks Ferguson but is not confident at -185, calling the line too wide. He believes Ferguson's unorthodox style, cardio, and jiu-jitsu can overwhelm Gaethje in later rounds. He sees value on Gaethje at +160 and suggests the under 2.5 rounds as a possible bet, but he plans to just enjoy the fight without betting.

Ferguson by fourth-round submission, under 2.5 rounds (-130), Gaethje at +160 is value
"I'm still gonna pick 20 Ferguson to win I think that he wears out just engage he I get so later around finish"
Donald Cerrone - Fight History
LOSS vs Jim Miller
Submission (guillotine choke) R2 1:32 · UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier · Jul 02, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Jim Miller 0 24 of 36 66% 35 of 48 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:03
Donald Cerrone 0 21 of 33 63% 24 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 1 1:24
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Jim Miller 0 21 of 29 72% 32 of 41 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:03
Donald Cerrone 0 17 of 26 65% 20 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 1 1:08
2 Jim Miller 0 3 of 7 42% 3 of 7 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 4 of 7 57% 4 of 7 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:16
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Jim Miller 24 of 36 66% 16 of 28 6 of 6 2 of 2 17 of 27 0 of 0 7 of 9
Donald Cerrone 21 of 33 63% 12 of 20 6 of 8 3 of 5 21 of 33 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Jim Miller 21 of 29 72% 15 of 23 5 of 5 1 of 1 14 of 20 0 of 0 7 of 9
Donald Cerrone 17 of 26 65% 10 of 16 5 of 6 2 of 4 17 of 26 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Jim Miller 3 of 7 42% 1 of 5 1 of 1 1 of 1 3 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 4 of 7 57% 2 of 4 1 of 2 1 of 1 4 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jun 26, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Jim Miller

Angelo picks Jim Miller based on his recent knockout wins over prospects, while noting that Cerrone is stepping in on short notice and may not be in peak form. He acknowledges Cerrone's technical advantage but believes Miller's toughness and momentum give him the edge. He also mentions that Cerrone at +200 might be worth a small sprinkle.

Cerrone at +200 might be worth a couple dollar long shot
"I think i'm siding with jim miller here but the odds are kind of crazy donald cerrone is a two-to-one underdog and he might be worth a couple dollar sprinkle"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 28, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Jim Miller

Big Brady is confident in Jim Miller, stating Donald Cerrone looks washed and doesn't want to be there. He notes Miller's power and first-round finishing ability, predicting a first-round knockout. He mentions Cerrone's recent struggles and weight cuts, while Miller is still active and motivated.

Miller by first round knockout
"give me uh jim miller to win jim miller to win my first round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jun 29, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Jim Miller

Cody thinks Miller's improved boxing and fast starts will overwhelm Cerrone, who has looked poor recently. He notes Miller's wrestling and submissions are also threats. He expects Miller to finish early.

"I think Jim Miller gets the pounce on him"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked Jun 30, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Daniel Levi leans toward Donald Cerrone as the underdog, citing the price (+165) and the fact that Cerrone has beaten Miller before via head kick. He notes that Miller tends to slow down after the first round, and if Cerrone can weather the early storm, he can take over. Levi acknowledges that Cerrone is past his prime and has lost to lesser opponents, but he sees value in the dog price. He does not bet it himself.

Dog-or-pass; price is everything; no bet.
"i'm gonna lean with cowboy because of the price man plus 165"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 1, 2022 (1 day before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Cerrone is the better fighter with more tools, and the line is too wide. Miller is a quick starter but if he doesn't finish early, Cerrone takes over. Cerrone at 170 lbs benefits him. The host predicts Cerrone by decision, noting Miller's cardio is not as bad as some claim.

Cerrone round 3/decision double chance
"i think the line is whack i think this should be closer to it"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert picked Jun 29, 2022 (3 days before fight)

Paul is torn, calling it a 50-50 fight. He likes Cerrone's chances if he survives the first round, especially at welterweight, but won't bet Miller at -185. He might sprinkle on a Cerrone late finish prop.

Cerrone round 3 +1600
"I don't know if I'm gonna get to Cerrone"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Hesitant picked Jun 27, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Donald Cerrone as an underdog, citing the fight being at welterweight where Cerrone won't have to cut as much weight, preserving his chin and cardio. He thinks Miller's power may not translate up a division and that Cerrone can survive the first round and rally in later rounds. He calls it a 50/50 fight and predicts a 29-28 decision for Cerrone.

underdog pick, fight of the night performance
"i'm gonna actually go with donald cerrone here in an underdog pick i think at 170 he shouldn't be that big of an underdog and this is a 50 50."
LOSS vs Alex Morono
TKO (punches) R1 4:40 · UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson · May 08, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alex Morono 0 17 of 35 48% 18 of 36 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:02
Donald Cerrone 0 35 of 84 41% 41 of 90 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:47
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alex Morono 0 17 of 35 48% 18 of 36 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:02
Donald Cerrone 0 35 of 84 41% 41 of 90 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:47
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alex Morono 17 of 35 48% 5 of 23 10 of 10 2 of 2 16 of 34 1 of 1 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 35 of 84 41% 28 of 74 5 of 7 2 of 3 30 of 73 5 of 11 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alex Morono 17 of 35 48% 5 of 23 10 of 10 2 of 2 16 of 34 1 of 1 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 35 of 84 41% 28 of 74 5 of 7 2 of 3 30 of 73 5 of 11 0 of 0
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked May 6, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Big Brady believes Cerrone is the better fighter everywhere, despite being past his prime. He notes Cerrone has fought much better competition and should have an edge on the feet and on the mat. Brady thinks Cerrone can mix in takedowns against Morono's poor takedown defense (47%). He predicts a decision win for Cerrone but says the line at -185 is too high to bet. He acknowledges Morono's high volume but thinks Cerrone's level of competition gives him the edge.

Cerrone by decision
"I'm gonna take cerrone yeah definitely not betting it especially where the line's at now i'm gonna take him to win by decision."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 6, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Daniel Levi picks Donald Cerrone, stating there are levels to this and Morono is not a top 25 guy. He highlights Cerrone's superior striking, grappling, and cardio, and notes Morono's inability to get up from bottom. He expects Cerrone to outclass Morono, possibly via blast double or high kick, and predicts a decision win. He mentions Cerrone's durability in the Nico Price fight as a positive sign.

"i still think there's levels to this [ __ ] man and cerrone's on a completely different level striking grappling cardio"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked May 7, 2021 (1 day before fight)
Donald Cerrone

The host is confident in Donald Cerrone, believing he has advantages in striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. He expects Cerrone to piece up Morono and win a decision, noting Morono's cardio issues and short notice. He likes Cerrone by decision prop.

Cerrone by decision +145
"i think that cerrone can have his way in striking or the grappling but i don't know that it finished necessarily materializes"
LOSS vs Niko Price
No Contest (overturned) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley · Sep 19, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Donald Cerrone 0 113 of 230 49% 113 of 230 0 of 5 0% 0 0 0:50
Niko Price 0 150 of 312 48% 167 of 330 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:47
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Donald Cerrone 0 37 of 66 56% 37 of 66 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Niko Price 0 55 of 115 47% 63 of 123 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:35
2 Donald Cerrone 0 38 of 89 42% 38 of 89 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Niko Price 0 57 of 112 50% 57 of 112 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Donald Cerrone 0 38 of 75 50% 38 of 75 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:50
Niko Price 0 38 of 85 44% 47 of 95 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:12
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Donald Cerrone 113 of 230 49% 69 of 181 38 of 43 6 of 6 101 of 216 11 of 13 1 of 1
Niko Price 150 of 312 48% 80 of 225 30 of 42 40 of 45 129 of 284 18 of 24 3 of 4
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Donald Cerrone 37 of 66 56% 20 of 49 13 of 13 4 of 4 27 of 54 10 of 12 0 of 0
Niko Price 55 of 115 47% 40 of 96 11 of 13 4 of 6 38 of 93 17 of 22 0 of 0
2 Donald Cerrone 38 of 89 42% 22 of 69 15 of 19 1 of 1 38 of 89 0 of 0 0 of 0
Niko Price 57 of 112 50% 21 of 68 17 of 23 19 of 21 56 of 111 1 of 1 0 of 0
3 Donald Cerrone 38 of 75 50% 27 of 63 10 of 11 1 of 1 36 of 73 1 of 1 1 of 1
Niko Price 38 of 85 44% 19 of 61 2 of 6 17 of 18 35 of 80 0 of 1 3 of 4
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Sep 17, 2020 (2 days before fight)
Niko Price

Big Brady picks Niko Price, citing Cerrone's decline and recent knockout losses to top competition. He notes Price is faster and a slow starter, while Cerrone has taken a lot of damage. He expects Price to get a first-round knockout, though he admits Cerrone is better on paper everywhere except durability.

Price by knockout
"give me nico price to get a knockout"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Sep 18, 2020 (1 day before fight)
Niko Price

The host believes Niko Price's power and explosiveness will be too much for Donald Cerrone, who is on a losing streak and has shown durability issues. He notes Price's ability to finish from any position and Cerrone's tendency to get stopped early. He predicts a first-round KO for Price, and likes the under 1.5 rounds at -105.

Niko Price wins by KO in round 1 +275; under 1.5 rounds -105; Niko Price inside distance -115
"I'm gonna take price to win this and i truly think he gets it done in the first round."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 11, 2020 (8 days before fight)
Niko Price

The host picks Niko Price over Donald Cerrone, citing Price's size, power, and ability to start fast. He notes that Cerrone has struggled against fighters who come out aggressively, and that Price was competitive against Vicente Luque. He predicts a KO win for Price.

KO win
"I'm gonna go with nico price getting a ko win."
LOSS vs Anthony Pettis
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje · May 09, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Anthony Pettis 0 63 of 113 55% 81 of 133 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 62 of 148 41% 62 of 148 2 of 8 25% 0 0 1:46
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Anthony Pettis 0 15 of 27 55% 21 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 17 of 31 54% 17 of 31 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:00
2 Anthony Pettis 0 21 of 38 55% 33 of 50 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 20 of 52 38% 20 of 52 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:38
3 Anthony Pettis 0 27 of 48 56% 27 of 48 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 25 of 65 38% 25 of 65 0 of 4 0% 0 0 0:08
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Anthony Pettis 63 of 113 55% 44 of 84 10 of 18 9 of 11 60 of 110 1 of 1 2 of 2
Donald Cerrone 62 of 148 41% 31 of 112 18 of 22 13 of 14 59 of 143 3 of 5 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Anthony Pettis 15 of 27 55% 7 of 13 4 of 8 4 of 6 13 of 25 0 of 0 2 of 2
Donald Cerrone 17 of 31 54% 10 of 23 5 of 5 2 of 3 16 of 30 1 of 1 0 of 0
2 Anthony Pettis 21 of 38 55% 13 of 28 4 of 6 4 of 4 21 of 38 0 of 0 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 20 of 52 38% 8 of 38 5 of 7 7 of 7 19 of 51 1 of 1 0 of 0
3 Anthony Pettis 27 of 48 56% 24 of 43 2 of 4 1 of 1 26 of 47 1 of 1 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 25 of 65 38% 13 of 51 8 of 10 4 of 4 24 of 62 1 of 3 0 of 0
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Apr 30, 2020 (9 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Big Brady picks Donald Cerrone, but with low confidence. He notes both fighters are past their prime and have shown signs of quitting. He believes Cerrone has a step down in competition and more heart, but worries about his durability. He predicts a decision win for Cerrone.

Cerrone by decision
"I'm going to go with Cerrone here. Um both these fighters are like out of their prime for sure. ... I think Cerrone has a little bit more left in the tank than Pettis."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked May 5, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Donald Cerrone

Daniel Levi picks Donald Cerrone, arguing that Pettis is not the same fighter as in 2013 and lacks sustainability. He believes if Cerrone avoids an early fight-ending blow, he will take over with takedowns and pressure. Levi notes that Cerrone is a slow starter but should dominate if he gets to the second round, and that Pettis tends to quit when pressured.

Cerrone by decision or finish
"I think if he avoids taking a fight ending blow in the early going he will eventually begin to take over the fight mix in takedowns along the way and either edge of decision or finish Pettis along the way"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked May 6, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Anthony Pettis

Matt picks Pettis but is not confident, citing both fighters' mental fragility and recent losses. He thinks Pettis can establish pressure and leg kicks early to get a finish, but he doesn't trust either guy. He calls the fight a pass for betting and suggests Cerrone as the value side if forced to bet.

Pettis by second-round TKO, best bet is Cerrone for value
"I am gonna pick Paris I can't believe I'm doing it I'm picking Pettis to win but in terms of betting I'm not trusting him"
LOSS vs Conor McGregor
TKO (head kick and punches) R1 0:40 · UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy · Jan 18, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Conor McGregor 1 19 of 26 73% 20 of 27 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:13
Donald Cerrone 0 0 of 1 0% 0 of 1 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Conor McGregor 1 19 of 26 73% 20 of 27 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:13
Donald Cerrone 0 0 of 1 0% 0 of 1 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Conor McGregor 19 of 26 73% 19 of 25 0 of 1 0 of 0 3 of 7 3 of 3 13 of 16
Donald Cerrone 0 of 1 0% 0 of 0 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Conor McGregor 19 of 26 73% 19 of 25 0 of 1 0 of 0 3 of 7 3 of 3 13 of 16
Donald Cerrone 0 of 1 0% 0 of 0 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jan 16, 2020 (2 days before fight)
Conor McGregor

Daniel picks Conor McGregor to win by knockout, likely in the first round. He notes that McGregor's left hand is a huge factor and that Cerrone has historically folded under big lights. However, he questions McGregor's motivation and fatigue issues, but believes this is a tune-up fight for McGregor.

first round knockout
"I think McGregor is gonna come in fresh... I think he gets the win by knockout."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jan 15, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Conor McGregor

The host picks Conor McGregor to win by first-round KO, citing McGregor's range, speed, in-and-out movement, and left hand as key advantages. He believes Cerrone will struggle to deal with these attributes and that McGregor will set up a trap and land a clean left hand. However, he notes that if Cerrone's odds reach +300, he might place a small bet on Cerrone due to value, but his official prediction remains McGregor by first-round KO.

If Cerrone hits +300, might take a bet on Cerrone; under 1.5 rounds at +105 considered; McGregor by KO at -210 considered too steep; official pick is McGregor by first-round KO.
"my official pick'em my prediction is gonna be cornered by first round KO"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jan 6, 2020 (12 days before fight)
Conor McGregor

The host strongly favors Conor McGregor, citing his first-round focus and accuracy against Donald Cerrone's lack of head movement and slow starts. He notes Cerrone's recent KO loss to Justin Gaethje and the short turnaround (4 months), which raises chin concerns. He believes McGregor's takedown defense is underrated and that Cerrone's wrestling won't be effective. He predicts a first-round KO by McGregor.

first round KO
"I think Conor McGregor gets it done in the first round by KO viciously viciously"
LOSS vs Justin Gaethje
TKO (punches) R1 4:18 · UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje · Sep 14, 2019
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Justin Gaethje 0 17 of 52 32% 17 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 1 40 of 61 65% 40 of 61 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:04
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Justin Gaethje 0 17 of 52 32% 17 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 1 40 of 61 65% 40 of 61 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:04
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Justin Gaethje 17 of 52 32% 12 of 45 4 of 6 1 of 1 17 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 40 of 61 65% 27 of 44 0 of 2 13 of 15 36 of 55 2 of 3 2 of 3
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Justin Gaethje 17 of 52 32% 12 of 45 4 of 6 1 of 1 17 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 40 of 61 65% 27 of 44 0 of 2 13 of 15 36 of 55 2 of 3 2 of 3
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Donald Cerrone vs. Justin Gaethje

Round 1
The main event is here, between two men that have combined for 24 post-fight bonuses, as Cerrone (36-12, 1 NC; 23-9 UFC) tussles with Gaethje (20-2, 3-2 UFC) at lightweight. The referee for this headliner that virtually guarantees action is Jerin Valel. The two touch gloves and we are underway. Cerrone starts with a push kick to the body, and Gaethje replies with a few sharp leg kicks. Gaethje whiffs on another leg kick, and Cerrone brings his knee up to check them. Gaethje presses forward and swings wildly, but nothing connects of significance. Gaethje ducks down to throw a big right hand and misses, but he does crack him with another few leg kicks for good measure. "The Highlight" tags Cerrone coming on, and backs way while launching a few more leg kicks, although "Cowboy" is starting to check them. Gaethje swings with all he has and "Cowboy" barely evades it, and tying up Gaethje tags Cerrone again. Cerrone leaps forward with a left hand, and then throws his own leg kick. A three-punch combination from "Cowboy" lands, and Gaethje cracks him with a counter left hand. As Gaethje swings, Cerrone responds with a body kick. The two men crash together, and Gaethje gets the better of this exchange. "Cowboy" ducks down and Gaethje times an uppercut, and then throws another leg kick that appears to stymie the movement of Cerrone slightly.
Gaethje blasts "Cowboy" right a right hand when coming in, halting the Colorado native in his tracks and dropping him to a knee. Gaethje cracks him with a few more short shots, until "Cowboy" falls to the ground
. "The Highlight" looks to Valel for a stoppage, but he does not get it so he clubs Cerrone with a few more punches until Valel calls the fight. Cerrone pops back up and protests the stoppage, but the fight is over. On the post-fight interview, the two celebrate and Cerrone is all smiles as he congratulates the victor.

The Official Result
Justin Gaethje def. Donald Cerrone R1 4:18 via TKO (Punches)
LOSS vs Tony Ferguson
TKO (doctor stoppage) R2 5:00 · UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes · Jun 08, 2019
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tony Ferguson 0 104 of 200 52% 104 of 200 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 68 of 185 36% 68 of 185 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:07
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tony Ferguson 0 52 of 104 50% 52 of 104 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 38 of 95 40% 38 of 95 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Tony Ferguson 0 52 of 96 54% 52 of 96 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Donald Cerrone 0 30 of 90 33% 30 of 90 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:07
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tony Ferguson 104 of 200 52% 65 of 144 25 of 37 14 of 19 103 of 198 1 of 2 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 68 of 185 36% 43 of 152 15 of 23 10 of 10 68 of 184 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tony Ferguson 52 of 104 50% 31 of 76 14 of 20 7 of 8 51 of 102 1 of 2 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 38 of 95 40% 28 of 82 6 of 9 4 of 4 38 of 95 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Tony Ferguson 52 of 96 54% 34 of 68 11 of 17 7 of 11 52 of 96 0 of 0 0 of 0
Donald Cerrone 30 of 90 33% 15 of 70 9 of 14 6 of 6 30 of 89 0 of 1 0 of 0
WIN vs Al Iaquinta
Decision (unanimous) (49–45, 49–45, 49–46) R5 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy · May 04, 2019
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Donald Cerrone 0 90 of 223 40% 90 of 223 0 of 5 0% 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 2 138 of 361 38% 140 of 363 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:22
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Donald Cerrone 0 19 of 58 32% 19 of 58 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 0 20 of 45 44% 20 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Donald Cerrone 0 24 of 59 40% 24 of 59 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 0 21 of 68 30% 21 of 68 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Donald Cerrone 0 18 of 39 46% 18 of 39 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 1 28 of 78 35% 29 of 79 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:10
4 Donald Cerrone 0 9 of 20 45% 9 of 20 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 1 26 of 72 36% 27 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:09
5 Donald Cerrone 0 20 of 47 42% 20 of 47 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Al Iaquinta 0 43 of 98 43% 43 of 98 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Donald Cerrone 90 of 223 40% 49 of 165 23 of 38 18 of 20 90 of 223 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 138 of 361 38% 87 of 302 17 of 25 34 of 34 129 of 344 3 of 3 6 of 14
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Donald Cerrone 19 of 58 32% 10 of 42 6 of 12 3 of 4 19 of 58 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 20 of 45 44% 12 of 35 3 of 5 5 of 5 20 of 45 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Donald Cerrone 24 of 59 40% 11 of 41 5 of 9 8 of 9 24 of 59 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 21 of 68 30% 11 of 57 3 of 4 7 of 7 21 of 68 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Donald Cerrone 18 of 39 46% 9 of 29 5 of 6 4 of 4 18 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 28 of 78 35% 15 of 64 6 of 7 7 of 7 25 of 69 0 of 0 3 of 9
4 Donald Cerrone 9 of 20 45% 6 of 15 3 of 5 0 of 0 9 of 20 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 26 of 72 36% 17 of 61 3 of 5 6 of 6 21 of 65 3 of 3 2 of 4
5 Donald Cerrone 20 of 47 42% 13 of 38 4 of 6 3 of 3 20 of 47 0 of 0 0 of 0
Al Iaquinta 43 of 98 43% 32 of 85 2 of 4 9 of 9 42 of 97 0 of 0 1 of 1