MMA Preview – Li Jingliang vs Tony Ferguson at UFC 279
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
LI JINGLIANG VS TONY FERGUSON FACTS
When is UFC 279? Sunday 11th September, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 279? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 279? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 279
What channel is UFC 279 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 279? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
LI JINGLIANG VS TONY FERGUSON LOWDOWN
Li Jingliang (19-7) is arguably coming off the best win of his career. His previous best outing was in 2021 when he starched Santiago Ponzinibbio (2021) in the first round although the Argentinian had not fought in over three years. Jingliang then felt the wrath of the headliner Khamzat Chimaev (2021) getting tossed around the octagon before getting submitted in the first round. He was then paired with one of the most technical strikers in the division Muslim Salikhov back in July and put on a ‘Performance of the Night’ handing the Russian the first knockout of his MMA career.
Nobody thought Tony Ferguson (25-7) would be sliding on a four-fight skid when he was sitting on a 12-fight win streak – the joint longest in UFC lightweight history. Justin Gaethje 2020) was the man to snap the aura of ‘El Cucuy’ dishing out an absolute beating forcing the referee to step in during the fifth round. Competition did not get any easier losing unanimous decisions to Charles Oliveira (2020) and Beneil Dariush (2021) before getting paired with Michael Chandler (2022). He actually looked good for the first round, but Chandler decided to unleash one of of the most devastating front kicks we have seen to flatline the fan favourite.
LI JINGLIANG VS TONY FERGUSON PREDICTION
Whether it is because he knocked out Salikhov or whether it is because he accepted the fight with Chimaev. Either way, Lingliang has been gifted the biggest opportunity of his career. He has the chance of adding someone who is on a dramatic downfall but one of the biggest names in the UFC to his record.
This fight does not make much sense for Ferguson at this point in this career, but he is moving back up to welterweight where he will have more power and even more durability. He will boast a four-inch reach advantage although he will be giving up some power, particularly in the hands.
Prior to the Gaethje and Chandler fight, Jingliang’s power would not have flustered Ferguson in the slightest, but now he needs to avoid it particularly his colossal left hand. Ferguson’s volume and slicing elbows will be a constant problem but the reliance on his chin has finally caught up on his and he has to leverage his movement to stay out of trouble.
The stand-up battle will a fascinating and competitive contest. If the fight goes to the floor, ‘El Cucuy’ will be in his element, creating chaos and constantly threatening the choke with his long limbs. However, Ferguson does not necessarily have the fight IQ to make this a grappling contest and does the ego to test his chin against Lingliang which is a bad idea.
The biggest question mark here is Ferguson’s chin. Gaethje crumbled it and Chandler’s kick would have knocked out anyone in the division. If it holds up or Ferguson which is more likely at welterweight or if he gets the fight to the ground, he is a great shout as the underdog. However, we have a feeling Jingliang is going to pile on the misery for the fan favourite.
Prediction: Jingliang via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Ferguson to win
