After 587 days, live sports are back in America.
Shut down due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, mixed martial arts will be the first entity to return, staging UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. on May 9 without fans.
The main event, the interim lightweight title, will feature Tony Ferguson (25-3) against Justin Gaethje (21-2). Initially, Ferguson was supposed to meet Khabib Nurmagomedov in the octagon at Barclays Center on Apr. 18 before it got pushed back. The Russian couldn’t compete because of travel restrictions. He is instead expected to face the winner.
UFC president Dana White tried to hold UFC 249 last month at Tachi Palace Casino Resort outside of Fresno, Calif., but higher-ups at Disney strongly suggested he back down and postpone it, which he did. It didn’t deter him, however, from planning future events and when Florida deemed professional sports as essential businesses, it allowed White to proceed.
“Nobody wants to be first, man,” he told Yahoo Sports. “Nobody wants to be first and take that chance. We’re talking about fighters who want to go in and want to compete. Everybody who is involved in this event wants to be involved in this event. From my employees on up.”
Here’s all the info you need to know about UFC 249:
Where is UFC 246 taking place?
All the action will take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
When is the Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight?
Saturday, May 9, 2020. The five-fight main card starts at 10 p.m.
What’s the full fight card?
MAIN CARD
· Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje (lightweight)
· Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz (bantamweight)
· Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
· Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar (featherweight)
· Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro (heavyweights)
PRELIMS
· Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone (lightweight)
· Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum (heavyweight)
· Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson (strawweight)
EARLY PRELIMS
· Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price (welterweight)
· Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa (featherweight)
· Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey (light heavyweight)
How can I watch UFC 246?
Main Card:10 PM ET on ESPN+ PPV
The pay-per-view UFC event costs $64.99.
New ESPN+ subscribers (or existing ESPN+ subscribers on monthly plans) can purchase a bundle that includes one UFC PPV and a 1-year subscription for $84.98, a savings of more than 25%.
Prelims: 8PM ET on ESPN
Early Prelims: 6:30PM ET on FIGHT PASS
What are the odds for Ferguson vs. Gaethje and who’s favored to win?
Ferguson (-190) is the favorite over Gaethje (+160), via William Hill Sportsbook.
Is there history in the octagon between Ferguson and Gaethje?
No, they never have fought against one another before, but that doesn’t mean it will lack fireworks. Ferguson enters on a 12-match winning streak, having not lost in almost eight years. He’s a thrilling fighter who rarely disappoints and will be facing a man known as “The Highlight.” Gaethje has reeled off three straight wins, most recently defeating Donald Cerrone last fall.
