Gaethje by TKO (+190)
While I have no issue with people taking Ferguson and backing him, I think this is a perfect fight for Gaethje to shine once again. Both have been in plentiful wars but, I think as of recently for the past few years it has been Ferguson who has been in much more damaging fights to his career. Gaethje has learned to be much more poised and patient in his fights and really protect himself to give himself the best path to victory. I’m backing Gaethje here as he is the younger fighter with Ferguson being thirty-six years of age along with Ferguson just having not fought a prime, elite fighter in a while. I think Gaethje can press the action, cut off the cage, and throw bombs to secure a finish inside two to three rounds. Ferguson has been hurt in several fights and it is only a matter of time for a fighter like Gaethje to capitalize and put a stamp on a finish. If anyone knows how to hurt AND finish their opponent it is Justin Gaethje.
Pettis by TKO (+185)
I’m sort of banking off the fact that history may indeed repeat itself here. As about seven years ago Antony Pettis kicked Donald Cerrone’s liver into oblivion. While both fighters are nowhere near to their peak form I feel that ‘Showtime’ still has a bit more left in the tank as opposed to his opponent. Cerrone’s achilles heel has always been slow starts in fights along with his weakness to body punishment. If Cerrone cannot put pressure on Pettis early and find a rhythm then look for Pettis to attack early and finish the fight as early as round one. I was lucky enough to grab the Pettis TKO prop at (+300) but I would not be opposed to playing the (+185) too honestly.