A pair of veteran lightweights trying to snap out of losing streaks are set to clash at UFC 274 when Michael Chandler faces off against Tony Ferguson.
UFC 274 is taking place on Saturday, May 7, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and can be seen on PPV. Chandler has emerged as a strong favorite to halt a two-fight slide, while Ferguson faces long odds in his bid to end a three-fight losing streak.
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Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson Betting Odds
Online sportsbook Sportsbook has published a full slate of UFC 274 odds, and has pegged Chandler as strong -400 chalk while Ferguson lags as a +300 underdog. That means Chandler backers will have to risk $400 to win $100, while a successful $100 bet on Ferguson will generate a tidy $300 in winnings.
Chandler vs Ferguson Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | -400 |
| Tony Ferguson | +300 |
Odds as of May 6 from Sportsbook
Further examination of the Chandler vs Ferguson betting line using the Odds Shark sports betting calculator has determined that Chandler’s lofty odds translate to an implied win probability of 80.00 percent. Conversely, Ferguson’s lengthy position translates to an implied win probability of just 25.00 percent.
With a stacked card that features a pair of championship fights, UFC 274 provides a great opportunity for sports bettors to get into UFC betting action for the first time. So head on over to our How to Bet on UFC guide to learn about UFC betting. Also, we have compiled a list of the best UFC betting sites to help you decide where to bet on the UFC. All of your UFC betting news can be found here at Odds Shark.
Chandler vs Ferguson Odds Analysis
These will mark the shortest odds sported by Chandler in four career UFC fights. Iron Mike has had positive odds in his three previous trips to the Octagon and has not been so heavily favored since claiming the Bellator lightweight crown with a unanimous-decision victory over Brent Primus at Bellator 212 while pegged as massive -530 chalk.
Ferguson’s Appeal at Sportsbooks Fading
Things have not gone much better of late for Tony Ferguson. The former interim UFC lightweight champ is coming off recent defeats at the hands of Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira while favored in both clashes. However, “El Cucuy” found himself sporting positive odds for the first time since 2016 in a three-round unanimous-decision loss to Beneil Dariush almost a year ago at UFC 262.
Chandler vs Ferguson Betting Preview
A three-time champion during his decade-long stint with Bellator, Chandler has struggled to duplicate that success since joining the UFC early last year. Iron Mike impressed in his UFC debut, finishing Dan Hooker on punches just 2:30 into their clash at UFC 257, paying out +130 odds.
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However, he was outclassed in a subsequent date with current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 that was listed as a pick’em. He then steadily faded on his way to a unanimous-decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 268, disappointing loyal sports bettors as a +175 underdog. Despite his recent struggles, there are some positive takeaways.
Chandler proved he could go toe to toe with a hard hitter like Gaethje and has averaged an impressive 5.17 significant strikes per minute. However, his middling significant strike defense of 44 percent means that he absorbs a lot of blows when facing an accomplished striker.
Ferguson At A Crossroads
Now at a crossroads in his career in the wake of three straight defeats, Ferguson will be hoping to benefit from his year-long absence from the Octagon. The 38-year-old proved he could win while fighting an array of styles during a previous 12-fight win streak, a run that featured five submission victories and three wins by KO or TKO. Indeed, when given the opportunity, Ferguson can be a particularly effective striker in his own right, averaging 5.15 significant strikes per 15 minutes.
However, things have not gone so well when the action goes to the mat. Ferguson was thoroughly dominated by both Dariush and Oliveira, who tallied a combined 23:54 of mat control in their wins over the California native.
Chandler vs Ferguson Betting Pick
While Ferguson has enjoyed a dominant career in the Octagon, there is no denying that he has taken a step back during his current swoon. Conversely, Chandler has largely performed better than his UFC record indicates. And in addition to matching up well with El Cucuy’s striking prowess, he will likely enjoy a clear advantage if things get to grappling.
