UFC 249: Donald Cerrone gives prediction for Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje
- ‘Cowboy’ thinks UFC 249 main event for interim lightweight title could come down to cardio
- ‘I’m probably gonna say it’s gotta be Tony, he’s been preparing for this fight [vs Khabib] his whole life,’ adds Cerrone
Donald Cerrone is in an interesting position when it comes to predicting the UFC 249 main event.
“Cowboy” has fought Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje in his last two fights at lightweight, both TKO losses in 2019 that put the brakes on his bid for a title shot. Ferguson has not fought since beating Cerrone at UFC 238 last June by doctor’s stoppage at the end of the second round, with Cerrone’s right eye swollen shut.
“Coming out into that third round, I’m glad they called the fight,” Cerrone told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “Because fighting Tony with one eye would’ve been probably not so good. He has good pressure, good punch volume. We’ll see what Justin can do. I’m betting Justin is gonna kick the s*** out of him.”
“I’m not picking anybody, I don’t care,” he said, but added: “He’s [Gaethje] gonna throw leg kicks, Ferguson is gonna put a lot of pressure on it. We’ll see who’s got the better cardio at the end of the day. I’m probably gonna say it’s gotta be Tony, he’s been getting ready for this fight [vs Khabib Nurmagomedov] his whole life.”
Ferguson and Gaethje are fighting for the 155-pound interim title on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, where Cerrone will look to bounce back from his 40-second defeat by Conor McGregor when he fights Anthony Pettis at welterweight.