Ferguson Opens As Slight Betting Favorite Against Oliveira

The odds for the upcoming Lightweight bout between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira — which is set to go down at UFC 256 on Dec. 12, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada — have been released.

According to BetOnline.ag, “El Cucuy” has been pegged as -180 favorite to defeat “Do Bronx” — who comes in as the +155 underdog — in the pivotal bout set to take place inside UFC APEX.

Ferguson was trying to lock down a title eliminator fight against Michael Chandler but was ultimately turned away by the former Bellator MMA Lightweight champion. With Chandler out of the equation, UFC matchmakers turned to the division’s forgotten man, as Oliveira was quick to accept the showdown against the former interim champ.

And while it may not be the fight most were expecting or hoping to get, it may turn out to be the one fight fans never knew they wanted. That’s because “Do Bronx” has been on an absolute tear, winning seven straight with his last loss coming three years ago.

Ferguson, meanwhile, was last seen getting throttled by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to the “The Highlight” in the interim title bout (see it again here).

The winner here could set himself up for a shot at the division strap or, at the very least, a showdown against the winner of the upcoming rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, which is set to go down at UFC 257 on Jan. 23, 2021.

But that is all up in the air as there seems to be some sort of confusion as to what’s going on with current 155-pound champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. “The Eagle” is adamant that he is sticking to his retirement, but UFC President, Dana White, has yet to vacate his title in the hopes that he will return for one more fight.