UFC Predictions: UFC 274: Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje

#3. UFC lightweight division: Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson

Can Tony Ferguson return to form this weekend when he faces Michael Chandler?

The third big bout on this card sees lightweights Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson do battle in what could well turn out to be an all-time classic fight. If both men can produce their best work – and that is a question mark of sorts – then the likelihood of this one winning a $50k bonus seems high.

The big question is exactly how much Ferguson has left to offer. At one point, ‘El Cucuy’ was riding a 12-fight winning streak and looked like the most dangerous 155lber on the roster.

However, he was never able to secure a clash with then-UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and his run came to a violent end at the hands of Justin Gaethje in the spring of 2020. Since then, Ferguson has lost two straight bouts. While those losses came against great fighters in Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, ‘El Cucuy’ didn’t look like the same fighter at all.

What’s gone wrong with Ferguson? The likely answer is simply wear and tear. He’s now 38 years old, is likely past his athletic prime, and has been fighting killers in the toughest division in the world for over a decade.

Whether he can wind back the clock here, then, is a fair question. He has taken nearly a year off, which should help him a lot, but obviously he’s gotten no younger during that time. He’s also facing a fighter in Chandler, who, stylistically at least, is similar to Gaethje.

Whether ‘Iron Mike’ can show the same kind of patience that Gaethje did in his clash with Ferguson is a fair question to ask, particularly as he doesn’t have Gaethje’s chin – and Ferguson did hurt ‘The Highlight’ badly at one point.

However, given Ferguson’s age, downturn and the amount of damage he’s taken over the years, it’s hard to pick him against any other top-level lightweight right now in good faith. Therefore, the pick is Chandler.

The Pick: Chandler via unanimous decision

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#4. UFC 274: The Main Card

Mauricio Rua and Ovince St. Preux are set to rematch this weekend

Picks in bold

UFC light-heavyweight division: Mauricio Rua vs. Ovince St. Preux

UFC lightweight division: Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon

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#5. UFC 274: The Prelims

Picks in bold

UFC welterweight division: Francisco Trinaldo vs. Danny Roberts

UFC flyweight division: Tracy Cortez vs. Melissa Gatto

UFC flyweight division: Kleydson Rodrigues vs. CJ Vergara

UFC strawweight division: Ariane Carnelossi vs. Loopy Godinez

UFC bantamweight division: Journey Newson vs. Fernie Garcia

UFC welterweight division: Andre Fialho vs. Cameron VanCamp