Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson |Comparison, Betting Prediction, Odds and Tips | REPLACED by Tony vs Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Currently, the 31-year-old Russian, Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most feared fighter in the world of UFC and brags an outstanding record of 28 wins, no losses and no draws in a career that stretches back 10 years.

As well as his record being the fighter longest active undefeated streak in MMA, he is also ranked as the number 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, bested only by light-heavyweight, Jon Jones, and the number 1 Lightweight pound-for-pound fighter.

The most recent addition to this staggering win record came against Dustin Poirier back in September where he defended his title at Lightweight Champion for the second time and unified the UFC Lightweight Championship.

This followed a lengthy ban from the sport following a post-match brawl in the match where he defended the title for the first time.

Khabib’s form after being banned for 9 months

Of course, most people, even those who aren’t familiar with UFC, will know of the match in question as it was against the most recognisable figure in the sport, Connor McGregor. In this highly billed match, where there was much abuse and controversy leading up to the bout, he defended the title from its previous McGregor, who had vacated the title due to absence thanks to a 4th round submission. However, Khabib proceeded to leap over the side of the cage and got into an altercation with McGregor’s training partner, Dillion Danis.

This resulted in Khabib being banned from the support for 9 months.

However, in his return fight against Poirier, he showed that he lost nothing in that time off and dispatched off his rival in the 3rd round via another submission, the 10th of his career.  

This allowed him to hold onto his title which he has now had in his grasp since April 2018, after winning on a decision against, Al Laquinta.

A win here will continue his position as the man to beat in the division and will continue his ferocious win record.

Comparison and predictions

As Lightweight UFC bouts go, they don’t get bigger than this and when you look at results over the last few years then the gravity of the match-up only increases. Both of these two fighters are massively formidable opponents with a lot to lose on the line while the status at the top of the lightweight division is what is at stake.

Unlike many other title fights though, this has the added influence that there is a lot to lose also – owing to the fact that both fighters have records on the line that could be sacrificed if they do not come out on top. With this considered, they have it all to lose and a lot to gain.

The favourite in this fight: Khabib

On paper though, Khabib will be the favourite going into this, as his impeccable record speaks worlds about his ability and he has seen himself in some tougher bouts in recent history – no less than against McGregor which would be considered his toughest so far and yet he still stormed home to victory.

While, of course, Ferguson is not without his merits and his glorious victories in the past, at the age of 34 and with various breaks and a couple of injuries in recent years, he is definitely going into this fight with much less recent bout tough fight experience.

Can Ferguson win this fight?

Ferguson last fight came against Donald Cerrone and this was comfortable. However, while Cerrone is ranked 5th in the lightweight rankings, he is nowhere near the same calibre as Khabib and holds much less impressive record. Cerrone’s latest lost to McGregor in the first round was a further testament to the difference in quality between the two fighters and so his most recent doesn’t say a lot about his prospects and you then have to over a year back to see him fight before that.

The fighters face to face

When it comes to them as a pair of fighters though even more sways towards, Khabib. He is by far one of the most deadly opponents to battle it out on the floor with – his 10 submission wins a testament to this- and is easily able to go all the way – another 10 wins via decision lay claim to this.

Ferguson on the other hand’s main route to wins is knockouts and this will be unlikely against Khabib, while his second-best means of wins – submissions, for which he has 8 – is going to be even tougher against the Russian choke merchant.

With this considered, distance will be his friend in this match-up and his best chance of a win would be to use his larger reach to his advantage and take it all the way. However, Khabib should win.

What other tipsters are predicting

Backing the Khabib seems a sensible thing to do right now and this sentiment is shared by others also in the tipster world.

• Chad Porto of Fansided, who stated:

“I think Nurmagomedov shocks the world with a mid-round knockout of Ferguson”

It is certainly no black and white decision though and so many others are not hazarding a guess either way and the majority of tipster publications out there, which there are few of at this stage, have stated that they wouldn’t hazard a guess at this stage.

Personally, I am favouring Khabib who should win likely before the bell via a submission. The bookmakers are on my side also, Skybet has 4/9 on Khabib and Betfair 23/10 on Ferguson.

Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov, odds on the winner

Latest update: Bets are closed due to the cancellation of the fight.

Odds on Khabib to win the fight

If you look at the bookies, then the current best odds in regards to this result is offered by Skybet who offers 4/9.

Odds on Ferguson to win the fight

For a Ferguson win the best odds you will find is 5/2 (3.50), offered by bet365.