Calvin Kattar is favored against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249 on Saturday, May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. This event is one of five fights on the main pay-per-view card. Stephens is 28-17 in his career, while Kattar is 20-4 in his career. There are a total of five fights on the main pay-per-view card at UFC 249, with the headliner a bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. There are also a total of seven fights on the preliminary card, with four on ESPN and three on ESPN+. Let’s look at the bout between Stephens and Kattar and UFC picks.
Jeremy Stephens 28-17, 15-16 UFC
Stephens came into the UFC with a record of 12-1 and he has 15 wins and 16 losses in the UFC. In his last five fights, he has two wins and three losses. He defeated Doo Ho Choi by TKO and Josh Emmett by KO; while losing to José Aldo by TKO, Zabit Magomedsharipov by unanimous decision, and Yair Rodríguez by unanimous decision. Stephens has been a pro since 2005 and he has 19 wins by TKO/KO and two by submission. He has 13 first round finishes.
Calvin Kattar 20-4, 4-2 UFC
Kattar came into the UFC with a record of 16-2 and he has four wins and two losses in the UFC. He defeated Andre Fili by unanimous decision, Shane Burgos by TKO, Chris Fishgold by TKO, and Ricardo Lamas by KO; while losing to Renato Moicano by unanimous decision and Zabit Magomedsharipov by unanimous decision. Kattar has been a pro since 2007 and he has nine wins by TKO/KO and three by submission. He has 10 first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Stephens 3.09 / Kattar 5.12
Striking Accuracy: Stephens 40% / Kattar 41%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Stephens 2.98/ Kattar 6.36
Defense: Stephens 58% / Kattar 57%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Stephens 1.18/ Kattar 0.47
Takedown Accuracy: Stephens 38% / Kattar 33%
Takedowns defended: Stephens 65% / Kattar 77%
Submission average: Stephens 0.4 / Kattar 0.0
Stephens is a very experienced fighter, but he is really what you would consider a journeyman who fills out cards. Kattar doesn’t have as much experience, but it already looks like he could be someone to watch going forward, as he has won four of his six UFC bouts. It is easy to see why Kattar is favored and he should get this win, but I rarely lay more than 2-1 on an UFC fight. I think the props and the rounds will be better options in this fight. Kattar has shown good power and he has been a good finisher, so he should get the quick win. I will take Kattar to get the win by knockout and the rounds to go under the total.
UFC 249 takes place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, May 9, with five fights on the main pay-per-view card, headlined by Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje and seven preliminary bouts, with four on ESPN and three on ESPN+.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View)
Lightweight - Tony Ferguson -183 vs. Justin Gaethje
Bantamweight - Henry Cejudo -245 vs. Dominick Cruz
Heavyweight - Greg Hardy -180 vs. Yorgan de Castro
Heavyweight - Francis Ngannou -291 vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Featherweight - Calvin Kattar -252 vs. Jeremy Stephens
Preliminary Card (ESPN)
Welterweight - Anthony Pettis -140 vs. Donald Cerrone
Heavyweight - Fabrício Werdum -325 vs. Alexey Oleynik
Women's Strawweight - Carla Esparza -160 vs. Michelle Waterson
Middleweight - Ronaldo Souza -125 vs. Uriah Hall
Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
Welterweight - Vicente Luque -267 vs. Niko Price
Featherweight - Bryce Mitchell -185 vs. Charles Rosa
Light Heavyweight - Ryan Spann -380 vs. Sam Alvey
How to Bet
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