Tag: Justin Gaethje

Dustin Poirier Eager To Fight At UFC 249, Thinks He Beats Tony Ferguson Up

PoirierDustin Poirier is eager to fight at UFC 249 — regardless of the opponent. Poirier put his name in the hat to face Tony Ferguson on short notice on April 18 after it was revealed on Monday that Khabib Nurmagomedov would no longer be able to compete on the card as he was stuck in […]

Poirier

Dustin Poirier is eager to fight at UFC 249 — regardless of the opponent.

Poirier put his name in the hat to face Tony Ferguson on short notice on April 18 after it was revealed on Monday that Khabib Nurmagomedov would no longer be able to compete on the card as he was stuck in Russia due to a cross-border travel ban.

As far as replacement opponents go for Ferguson, only Justin Gaethje has reportedly been offered by the UFC. But it also remains to be seen if Ferguson would fight somebody else or just end up waiting for the Nurmagomedov matchup to take place at a later date once the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

Poirier, meanwhile, was initially slated to face Dan Hooker at UFC San Diego in May. But as far as he is concerned, an opportunity to face Ferguson is something he can’t miss out on — especially as he feels he matches up well with him.

“The Diamond” is also willing to face Gaethje in a rematch as he told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Tuesday:

“In the midst of what was happening yesterday — an opportunity like that? — of course, I’m 100% jumping on,” Poirier said when asked if he would fight amid the coronavirus pandemic. “No disrespect to Dan Hooker but guys like him are going to be around. … I just want to be 100% prepared. That’s all. I like to fight and I’m down with the fight but I just want to be prepared.

“… Anybody, I’ll fight anybody. Yeah [I like the Ferguson matchup], I think I beat up Tony. I really do. The Gaethje fight as well. I would do a rematch with him.”

Cutting weight won’t be a problem either as Poirier revealed he’s currently in the low 180s and can make the 155-pound limit.

As it stands, UFC 249 has no location but Dana White appears to be working on one as the days go by.

Do you think we’ll see Poirier compete at UFC 249? Against whom?

Why Delaying UFC 249 Makes Sense for Both UFC and Dana White

With the coronavirus tightening its vice grip on the whole of humanity, we’re all re-learning that there are some things we simply can’t outrun…

With the coronavirus tightening its vice grip on the whole of humanity, we’re all re-learning that there are some things we simply can’t outrun…

Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje UFC 249 Betting Odds Released

Ferguson, Justin GaethjeTony Ferguson has opened as a betting favorite over Justin Gaethje. According to reports, a fight with Gaethje has been offered to Ferguson by the UFC following the news that Khabib Nurmagomedov will be stuck in Russia and unlikely to compete against him at UFC 249 on April 18. While a Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight […]

Ferguson, Justin Gaethje

Tony Ferguson has opened as a betting favorite over Justin Gaethje.

According to reports, a fight with Gaethje has been offered to Ferguson by the UFC following the news that Khabib Nurmagomedov will be stuck in Russia and unlikely to compete against him at UFC 249 on April 18.

While a Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight is undoubtedly one of the best and most exciting matchups in the stacked lightweight division, it is still underwhelming given how many were hoping this would finally be the year we see “El Cucuy” battle Nurmagomedov.

Regardless, if it happens, oddsmakers see Ferguson extending his 12-fight winning streak as he is a -170 favorite. Gaethje — winner of his last three fights via first-round knockout — is a +145 underdog, meanwhile.

That means you would have to bet $170 on Ferguson to win $100 while a $100 stake on Gaethje would earn you profits of $145.

Whether the fight takes place remains to be seen. For one, Ferguson has to accept it. Secondly, Gaethje has to accept it as well having notably turned down a short-notice fight with the former interim champion last year.

If Ferguson is willing to fight, however, he has no shortage of options elsewhere. The likes of Dustin Poirier and former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley have also offered to step in and face him to save UFC 249.

We’ll just have to see how things develop in the coming hours or days.

Who do you have winning if Ferguson ends up facing Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje Could Replace Khabib To Fight Tony Ferguson At UFC 249

Justin Gaethje could be stepping in to fight Tony Ferguson on April 18 at UFC 249. On Monday morning, Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram Live to announce he is stuck in Russia and might be off UFC 249. It is no doubt bad news for fight fans who were…

Justin Gaethje could be stepping in to fight Tony Ferguson on April 18 at UFC 249. On Monday morning, Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram Live to announce he is stuck in Russia and might be off UFC 249. It is no doubt bad news for fight fans who were eagerly anticipating Nurmagomedov and Ferguson to […]

The post Justin Gaethje Could Replace Khabib To Fight Tony Ferguson At UFC 249 appeared first on MMA News.

REPORT | Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje In The Works For UFC 249

Ferguson, Justin GaethjeThe UFC is hoping to make Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje as the new main event for their card scheduled for April 18. ‘El Cucuy’ was supposed to fight lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for the title but that is now unlikely due to travel restrictions in the 155lb titleholder’s homeland of Russia. Top lightweight contender […]

Ferguson, Justin Gaethje

The UFC is hoping to make Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje as the new main event for their card scheduled for April 18.

‘El Cucuy’ was supposed to fight lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for the title but that is now unlikely due to travel restrictions in the 155lb titleholder’s homeland of Russia.

Top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje is riding a three-fight winning streak and has been calling for a title shot for some time. ‘The Highlight’ may well get the next best thing by filling in at UFC 249 in one of the biggest fights in MMA history.

In a series of social media posts ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani reacted to news of Nurmagomedov’s potential withdrawal from the card, introduced Gaethje as a likely replacement and also spoke other options that have been considered by the UFC, he said.

“Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed in an IG live chat
earlier today that he is in Russia and can’t leave because they have closed
their borders. He also said UFC has told him they are looking at another
opponent for Tony Ferguson because the fight can’t be made now.”

“(RT Sport first translated Nurmagomedov’s chat.)
According to sources, UFC is aware of Nurmagomedov’s status and have now begun
looking at alternate plans for the April 18 main event and card, which they are
still determined to put on.”

“As a result, Tony Ferguson, per sources, has been
offered a fight against top contender Justin Gaethje, however, that fight has
not been agreed upon nor finalized. Neither has a location for the event.”

“UFC has also briefly considered trying to book usman v masvidal for April 18 but that is not looking likely at the moment, sources say.”

As of right now, nothing is official from the UFC, who have been working around the clock to make UFC 249 happen despite the coronavirus pandemic and media backlash.

This story is still breaking. Stay tuned to LowKickMMA.com for all the updates as they happen.

Justin Gaethje: Conor McGregor Would Deserve Khabib Rematch If He Beats Me

McGregor GaethjeJustin Gaethje doesn’t appear to be giving up on a fight with Conor McGregor. Gaethje has long campaigned to face McGregor next as he believes it’s the fight to make while Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson collide for the lightweight title. UFC president Dana White has other ideas, though, as he has maintained the Irishman […]

McGregor Gaethje

Justin Gaethje doesn’t appear to be giving up on a fight with Conor McGregor.

Gaethje has long campaigned to face McGregor next as he believes it’s the fight to make while Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson collide for the lightweight title.

UFC president Dana White has other ideas, though, as he has maintained the Irishman will face the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson next. But as far as “The Highlight” is concerned, he is deserving of the next shot and doesn’t see the need to face anyone other than McGregor if it’s not a title fight.

However, he is not entirely ruling out another opponent provided he is guaranteed the next crack at the belt:

“I think I have to look at the big picture whenever I think about it,” Gaethje told MMA Fighting. “I think me waiting to fight the winner of Khabib-Tony isn’t realistic. I think I will have to fight again.

“I think me and Conor need to fight each other to figure out the No. 1 contender. Outside of that, if I need to fight someone else to assure myself of the No. 1 contender’s spot and get the winner of that fight, I’ll do that. As long as that’s a sure thing.”

Many feel McGregor is not deserving of the next title shot given he has only defeated Donald Cerrone — in a welterweight matchup in January — since getting dominated by Nurmagomedov in their title fight back in 2018.

Ultimately money talks, but Gaethje feels nobody would question the former two-weight champion facing Nurmagomedov again if he went through him first:

“You know it’s his choice,” Gaethje said. “[Conor McGregor] picks who he fights.

“He knows that if he fights me and beats me, nobody — Khabib [Nurmagomedov], Ali [Abdelaziz], whoever — can’t say much about him earning it or deserving the title shot. But until then, he ain’t going to get it.”

Of course, if McGregor does skip over him or ends up facing somebody else, Gaethje won’t be losing that much sleep either.

“So much logistics when it comes to making a fight with that guy,” Gaethje added. “It’s a process. If he doesn’t make a choice, I just wait and fight Khabib.”

Do you agree with Gaethje?