Battle commences

The Battle of the Titans

cept the challenge as two titans ready to throw down! After a long hiatus, "The Baddy" Paddy Pimblett returns to the Octagon to face off against the legendary Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson in the main event of UFC 296. Will Pimblett prove he's more than just hype, or will Ferguson pull off a stunning comeback to close out the year?

Paddy Pimblett

Unranked in the lightweight division, Paddy Pimblett's charm and unyielding fight spirit have stolen the spotlight. He's a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a former Full Contact Contender league champion, and the undisputed king of the featherweight division in Cage Warriors. With 3 bonuses in 4 UFC fights, Pimblett has made quite the splash in the UK, earning official attention from the UFC.

The Pros

Pimblett's aggressive fighting style is his strength, but sometimes his defense leaves a lot to be desired. His boxing and kicking skills are second to none, and he's lightning-fast on the ground. He excels at slipping into the back and unleashing relentless ground-and-pound. From the clinch, Pimblett is a master of going for submissions, further bolstering his arsenal with knockout power and dynamic throws.

The Cons

Pimblett suffers from a lack of experience against high-level opponents and the occasional lapse in discipline. His tendency to expose his body and head recklessly could prove disastrous against top opponents. A year away from the Octagon has many asking, is Pimblett ready for this challenge?

Tony Ferguson

Former interim champion Tony Ferguson has been lurking in the rankings but hasn't scored a win in three years. He too is a black belt in jiu-jitsu, a TUF champion, and a Pure Combat champion. Ferguson's wrestling background and deep dive into martial arts have made him a versatile fighter, but at 39 years old, his prime appears to be behind him.

The Pros

Tony still possesses a devastating knockout punch, but regrettably, he often fails to capitalize on it. He's highly skilled on the ground, creative on the feet, and comfortable at any distance. His mix of kicks and quick straight punches or uppercuts complements his sudden transitions to submissions, both from the clinch and the ground.

The Cons

As time passes, Tony's reaction time, killer instinct, and chin wear down. He never showed a strong wrestling game and struggles to maintain positions against basic wrestlers. Now, the former lightweight bogeyman is torn between his fading body and the indomitable spirit of a seasoned warrior.

The Road Ahead

Pimblett is 28 years old, but even at this age, a simple year off can significantly impact his immediate readiness for a fight. He's on a six-fight win streak, including victories against Jared Gordon, Rodrigo Vargas, and Luigi Vendramini. However, his struggles with weight make his cuts extremely challenging. Facing an opponent with vast experience, Pimblett will have to bring his absolute best, or face a decisive loss.

On the other hand, the 39-year-old Tony comes into the fight riding a six-fight losing streak, four of which were early finishes. His last victory dates back to June 2019 against Donald Cerrone. In his current form, Tony struggles against top-15 opponents and may find the UFC rethinking his contract if he suffers another loss.

A Prediction for the Ages

Tony will have a significant size advantage, with up to 9 cm in reach and a few centimeters in height. However, in the standup, both fighters are evenly matched, landing roughly the same number of significant strikes with similar accuracy. In the clinch, Pimblett's agility might give him the upper hand if Tony stuns him with a heavy strike and forces him to engage. In the end, expecting the fight to go the distance would be reckless.

At the end of the day, Pimblett's youth, unbroken jaw, and lack of chronic injuries give him a slight edge in securing the victory. But don't bet on a knockout or submission. Bet on the fight lasting less than 2.5 rounds.

Prediction: Under (2.5) completed rounds.

Place a bet 2.11.

Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson

P1: 1.40 P2: 3.05

The coefficients in this bout are surprising: Paddy hasn't fought in a year, and while his aggressive style can lead to early success, it could also play into Ferguson's hands if he's not careful. A knockdown, even in the first round, could happen to either fighter, and the rest will depend on who makes fewer mistakes and adapts the best. Betting on a specific winner at these odds is risky—Ferguson could still surprise, especially against an opponent who isn't the sharpest. Therefore, the option of the fight ending before the second half of the third round, with those kind of odds, looks much more appealing than betting on Pimblett's triumph.

Prediction: Under (2.5) completed rounds.

Are you ready to take the plunge and bet on the biggest fight of the year?Visit our official betting partner, ZENIT Sportsbook, to place your bets now!ZENIT Sportsbook provides the best odds to back the favorite in this bout: Paddy Pimblett - 1.40, Tony Ferguson - 3.05.Remember, gambling should always be approached responsibly.

UFC 314 Speculation

There have been whispers of a potential matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Michael Chandler at UFC 314 (April 12, 2025). Chandler's experience and wrestling pedigree could give him the edge in a late KO/TKO victory over Pimblett[5].

Readiness Concerns

While Pimblett appears to be in great form, transitioning to high-profile matchups against veterans like Ferguson could present new challenges. In addition to his experience, Ferguson's unorthodox style could prove particularly difficult for Pimblett to adapt to[6].

Sources:

[1] https://www.cnbsports.net/mma/news/is-that-al-iqqawis-joining-the-ufc-u28752862

[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/tony-ferguson-confirms-ufc-release-announces-retirement-5-years-2023-2

[3] https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/paddy-pimblett- claims-ufc-messed-up-his-career-bethe-ruddy- talks-day-of-promotion

[4] https://www.si.com/mma/news/paddy-pimblett-gambled-his-ufc-career

[5] https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/featured-michael-chandler-vs-paddy-pimblett-fight-prediction-ufc-314

[6] https://www.igamingpower.com/news/sportsbook-articles/pondering-paddy-potential-predictions-for-paddy-pimbletts-future-at-the-ufc-2024

[7] https://www.essentially-sports.com/free-league_mma/news/the-ufc-on- fox-show-is-preparing-to-withdraw-from-tony-ferguson-escaping-unacceptable-terms

Paddy Pimblett, though charismatic and capable, faces challenges in terms of experience against high-level opponents and occasional lapses in discipline, which could be exploited by Tony Ferguson.
Tony Ferguson, despite his impressive resume, has been struggling in recent years, with a lack of wins and an aging body, which might impact his performance against Pimblett.
The mix of unpredictability and high-level mixed-martial-arts skills exhibited by both Pimblett and Ferguson promises an exciting fight at UFC 296, with each man ready to throw down and prove their worth.
Betting on the outcome of the fight between Pimblett and Ferguson might be risky due to their differing strengths and weaknesses. However, betting on the fight ending before the second half of the third round could offer a more appealing risk-reward ratio.