UFC Virtual Tournament: Odds and Picks for UFC 3 Sims

• Khabib faces Ferguson in main event of UFC 3 Sim card running in Stand and Bang mode
• UFC fighters Colby Covington and Ben Askren scheduled to chat with fans on Twitch
• Get all the odds and insight into Saturday’s UFC $49 card in the story below

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of UFC 249, but bookmakers have stepped in to fill the void with UFC $49 – a full slate of UFC 3 simulation fights scheduled for Saturday night that features a no-risk betting matchup between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, plus a main event clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

All of Saturday’s UFC 3 Sim fights will run in Stand and Bang mode at legendary difficulty, with main-card matchups scheduled to go a full five rounds. Here’s a look at the full slate of scheduled fights, along with our best bets.

UFC $49 Odds

Preliminary Card – Three Rounds

Odds taken on 04/18/2020.

Classic Fights – Three Rounds

Main Card – Five Rounds

Ferguson Holds the Edge in Stand and Bang Mode

Khabib and Ferguson were originally scheduled to meet in the octagon at UFC 249, making it a fitting main event for the $49 event. Undefeated in 26 career MMA contests, Khabib claimed the UFC lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Al Iaquinta at UFC 223.

Man, thought Poirier had him for a second there with the Guillotine choke. Khabib wins again with the choke. Shocker… #UFC242 https://t.co/7XiD3WiFPA

— BBQ Dom (@RealBBQDom) September 7, 2019

The 31-year-old Russian followed up with a controversial submission win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229, and also submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 242. Khabib’s ground-and-pound fighting style may not serve him well in a simulated contest operating in Stand and Bang mode. That is particularly true against Ferguson, who has recorded 10 finishes during a 12-fight win streak.

Tony Ferguson TKO's "Cowboy" Cerrone after a doctor's stoppage. This is how Cerrone looked at the end

(via @ufc) pic.twitter.com/IlRAmT9OzW

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 9, 2019

A powerful striker, who isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with opponents, Ferguson dominated in recent TKO victories over Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone. With Khabib’s ability to bring the fight to mat limited in Stand and Bang mode, Ferguson enters the octagon with the clear advantage, while also adding value to the +200 odds of this fight ending inside the distance.

Picks: Tony Ferguson -250; Fight to end inside the distance +120

Can GSP Go Toe-to-Toe with Notorious?

A three-round welterweight matchup between two multi-division champions headlines the Classic Fights portion of Saturday’s UFC 3 Sim card, with Conor McGregor pegged as a clear -200 favorite. “Notorious” should also benefit from fighting in Stand and Bang mode. The colorful Irishman is at his best when he is on his feet, finishing opponents on punches inside five minutes on five occasions since joining the UFC in 2013.

https://twitter.com/GIFSkull/status/1218768515819130883?s=20

Georges St-Pierre dominated the UFC welterweight division during his six years as champion, and proved that he still had plenty in the tank in his return following a four-year hiatus, disposing of Michael Bisping by submission inside of three rounds to claim the UFC middleweight crown.

Morning #ICYMI Georges St-Pierre sent Michael Bisping into dreamland and became the new middleweight champ #UFC217 pic.twitter.com/RL9cIc2fzw

— William Hill (@WilliamHill) November 5, 2017

St-Pierre used his skills as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt to wear down his opponents throughout his reign as UFC welterweight champion, which featured eight wins by decision. However, St-Pierre could struggle in a toe-to-toe battle with McGregor, and will likely have to do what no fighter has ever done to defeat the Irishman – knock him out.

Picks: Conor McGregor -200; Fight to end by decision +170

Risk-Free Betting Available in Thug Rose, Andrade Rematch

UFC fans are invited to make no-risk wagers as Rose Namajunas takes on Jessica Andrade in a rematch of their UFC 237 tilt. As part of Saturday night’s UFC $49 card, sports bettors are invited to wager on either fighter to win the match, with losing bets refunded up to $49.

Lights out!!

Jessica Andrade def Rose Namajunas via KO slam in Round 2 at #UFC237 #AndNew

pic.twitter.com/BOjKNNoo0z

— MMA Raw & Uncut (@mma_uncut) May 12, 2019

Namajunas entered the octagon as the UFC women’s strawweight champion the last time these two fighters met, but saw her two-year reign end in the second round with the first KO loss of her career. Known for her effective use of high kicks, “Thug Rose” is also accomplished at submitting opponents, with five of her eight career wins coming by submission.

Despite recording a stunning victory over Namajunas and demonstrating her formidable striking skills and ability to put opponents to the mat in recent wins over Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Tecia Torres, Andrade is pegged as a +145 underdog.

It’s an amazing sequence, but my favorite part might be when Zhang rocks Andrade the first time & @bisping has the perfect reaction which is just: “Wow….WOOOOOOOOOOW”

(16 & 20 second mark)https://t.co/z23P7ks3Xq

— Straw Hat Smashley (@SmashleySuplex) August 31, 2019

Her shocking opening-round TKO loss to Zhang Weili at UFC Fight Night 157 cost her the UFC women’s strawweight title, and has done little to boost her odds here. However, her skills as a boxer leave her well positioned to pull off the upset and hand Thug Rose yet another defeat.

Picks: Jessica Andrade +145; Fight to end inside the distance -220

Other UFC $49 Picks:

• Ronda Rousey (+200): A stunning loss to Holly Holm marked the beginning of the end for Rousey in the UFC, but with the Preacher’s Daughter turning in largely uninspired performances ever since, Rousey offers exceptional value as a heavy underdog.
• Lyoto Machida (+110): Perhaps one of the most intriguing matchups of the night pits “The Dragon” against Rampage Jackson in a clash of former UFC light heavyweight champions. Both these fighters are equally adept on their feet or grappling. However, Machida’s unorthodox approach and wide array of available tactics make him an attractive underdog.
• Israel Adesanya (+400): The Last Stylebender’s experience both as a boxer and kickboxer will serve him well in Stand and Bang mode. Expect more of the same after his victory over Whittaker at UFC 243.