UFC Vegas 49 brings Octagon action back to the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26. The ESPN+ exclusive event will be headlined by a 160-pound catchweight fight between two red hot lightweight talents.
After top-five 155-pound fighter Beneil Dariush had to drop out of the card’s main event due to injury, the promotion was left trying to salvage a headliner with the division’s hottest talent Islam Makhachev. With 10 days’ notice, in jumps MMA veteran Bobby Green, on the heels of victory a couple of weeks ago at UFC 271 against Nasrat Haqparast.
Although Russian star Makhachev is a big favorite heading into the bout, 42 fight veteran Green is a competitor with a world of experience that can not be underestimated in a short-notice scrap with minimal weight cutting.
How to watch UFC Vegas 49 on Feb. 26
- UFC Vegas 49 goes down on Feb. 26 from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas
- The ESPN+ exclusive card kicks off with preliminary action at 4 pm ET, the main card then follows at 7 pm ET
- You can purchase “VIP Experience” tickets to UFC APEX events directly from the promotion here
UFC Vegas 49 fight card
Main Card
Islam Makhachev (-720) vs. Bobby Green (+500)
Misha Cirkunov (-125) vs. Wellington Turman (+105)
Priscila Cachoeira (+145) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (-165)
Arman Tsarukyan (-225) vs. Joel Alvarez (+185)
Gregory Rodrigues (-155) vs. Armen Petrosyan (+135)
Preliminary Card
Ignacio Bahamondes (-220) vs. Zhu Rong (+180)
Josiane Nunes (-210) vs. Ramona Pascual (+175)
Terrance McKinney (+100) vs. Fares Ziam (-120)
Jinh Yu Frey (-180) vs. Hannah Goldy (+155)
Alejandro Perez (+190) vs. Jonathan Martinez (-235)
Ramiz Brahimaj (-350) vs. Micheal Gillmore (+270)
Victor Altamirano (+105) vs. Carlos Hernandez (-125)
Betting odds via draft kings
UFC Vegas 49 appointment television fights
Islam Makhachev (21-1) vs Bobby Green (29-12-1)
Green is a very tough, skilled, and experienced talent. However, Makhachev has stormed his way up the lightweight rankings with a dominant wrestling style that mirrors his long-time friend, teammate, and now mentor in former division champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Californian has the guile to make it interesting, but there are reasons why the Russian has won nine straight in the Octagon. Green will need a little luck and some mistakes from his opponent on fight night to have a chance.
Prediction: Makhachev by submission, round 2
Misha Cirkunov (15-7) vs Wellington Turman (17-5)
Misha Cirkunov versus Wellington Turman is a solid booking of two middleweight talents with fight finishing reputations. Neither man is a contender in the weight class, but a victory here is important for both to keep their standing in the division, and in the company in a strong position as they start their 2022 schedule.
Prediction: Cirkunov by submission, round 3
Join the discussion on this topic…