UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje - Predictions and Picks

#7 The Prelims

Jacare Souza looks set to headline UFC 249's prelim card

It’s unknown right now exactly where the prelims for this show will be aired. It’s likely that they’ll be shown on either ESPN or the ESPN+ streaming service. On tap are six pretty solid fights, all of which could probably have made the main card of a Fight Night show.

At the top, we’ve got a Middleweight clash between Uriah Hall and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. No UFC fighter fell as hard as Jacare in 2019. After staving off Father Time for years, he was outpointed by Jack Hermansson, who pushed a pace simply too hard for him to keep up with. then lost to Jan Blachowicz in a Light-Heavyweight fight that was one of the year’s worst.

This is his return to 185lbs to take on Hall, who despite never quite living up to the TUF hype, has done pretty well for himself. He’s coming off two straight wins, but Jacare is his toughest opponent in some time. This is a tough one to pick considering how bad Jacare looked in 2019, but I’m leaning towards the Brazilian edging a win by decision.

At Lightweight, Venezuela’s Omar Morales faces off with Alexander Hernandez. Morales is 9-0 in MMA and made a successful UFC debut in December, outpointing Dong Hyun Ma. But, this is a big step up for him.

Hernandez struggled in his last fight – although he was awarded a contentious decision over Francisco Trinaldo – he’s still ultra-talented with skills in all areas. Morales is probably the perfect kind of opponent for him right now – I’m happy to take Hernandez via TKO.

At Lightweight, heavy-handed Khama Worthy faces off with veteran Michael Johnson. Worthy is a massively unproven talent as he’s never faced anyone on the level of Johnson before. But he showed excellent boxing skills in his UFC debut – a KO of Devonte Smith – and Johnson’s chin has been eroding over the years and he’s taken a lot of punishment. The smart pick here would be Johnson, but I’m going with the upset and taking Worthy to win by KO.

Sijara Eubanks faces off with Sarah Moras in a clash of grapplers at Bantamweight, with both women likely with their backs to the wall. Eubanks has lost her last two fights, making her move up to 135lbs look like a mistake, while Moras is 1-3 in her last four, and missed weight in her most recent win.

Eubanks is by far the better athlete, but whether her lack of size will catch up with her here is the big question. I’ll take ‘Sarj’ to win a decision, but it’s likely to be a tight one to call.

At Light-Heavyweight, Sam Alvey takes on Ryan Spann. It’s hardly a surprise to see Alvey on this card given he doesn’t seem to be taking COVID-19 seriously. But, this is a tricky fight for him.

Everyone knows now that if you can avoid the counter right hook of ‘Smiling Sam’ then he’s beatable, and Spann is on an excellent run -3-0 in the UFC thus far and soaring with confidence. I like Spann to find a way to win here, perhaps by TKO as Alvey’s chin isn’t the best.