Tony Ferguson Opens as Slight Favorite Over Potential UFC 249 Foe Justin Gaethje

Tony Ferguson has opened as a slight betting favorite against potential UFC 249 adversary Justin Gaethje.

According to oddsmaker BetOnline, Ferguson is a -150 favorite in the currently hypothetical lightweight matchup, while Gaethje is an underdog at +130. Odds are subject to change, and the fight must take place before May 3 for any betting action to be valid.

After Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed that he would likely be stuck in Russia as a result of travel restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the Las Vegas-based promotion reportedly targeted a showdown between Gaethje and Ferguson for the new UFC 249 main event. No formal announcement has been made regarding the bout.

Ferguson has established himself as one of the top lightweights in the sport while compiling a 12-bout winning streak that includes triumphs over the likes of Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Kevin Lee, Rafael dos Anjos and Edson Barboza.

A former World Series of Fighting champion, Gaethje is currently riding the momentum of successive first-round finishes of James Vick, Barboza and Cerrone.

All fights scheduled for UFC 249 are tentative due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The promotion has not announced a venue for the April 18 event, which was originally scheduled to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.