Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik is certainly the most powerful matchup among the UFC 249 betting odds, as two of the promotion’s heaviest hitters face off on the MMA card set to take place in Florida on May 9.
This heavyweight showdown was originally scheduled to go down at UFC on ESPN 8 on March 28, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak that event was postponed and the fight was moved to UFC 249.
We size up the UFC odds and give our preview and predictions for Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik at UFC 249.
Ngannou vs Rozenstruik UFC 249 odds
| UFC 249 Odds | Francis Ngannou | Jairzinho Rozenstruik |
|---|---|---|
| Win outright | -300 | +245 |
| Win via KO/TKO | -135 | +380 |
| Win via points | +500 | +950 |
| Win via submission | +1,100 | +2,900 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Ngannou vs Rozenstruik betting preview
Francis Ngannou is a sizeable -300 favorite (FanDuel Sportsbooks) over Jairzinho Rozenstruik for this matchup which will likely see the winner thrust into the No. 1 contender role and become the next opponent for heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
That's a spot Ngannou is dying to get back to after getting thrown around by Miocic in an unanimous decision loss when they last met for the title back in January of 2018. Ngannou followed that defeat with a second disappointing loss, this time to Derrick Lewis. Since then, “The Predator” is back on a roll, winning three straight bouts by KO/TKO - the longest of which lasted 1:11.
Ngannou is considered by many to be the hardest puncher in the UFC and his style allows him to attack in the blink of an eye with devastating results. But the 33-year-old Ngannou may have met his match in Rozenstruik.
The 32-year-old from Suriname has burst onto the UFC scene, winning his first four fights all by KO/TKO. That stretch is highlighted by an epic comeback win over Allistair Overeem this past December. With the win Rozenstruik improved his MMA record to 10-0.
While casual fight fans may not know Rozenstruik, he started as a professional kickboxer where he went 76-8 with 64 KO/TKOs before making the permanent switch to MMA in 2017. Rozenstruik is known as a powerful striker and while his power isn’t as great as Ngannou’s, it’s nothing to scoff at. Rozenstruik is also the more polished striker of the two and is an excellent counter puncher.
Ngannou has the edge in reach and speed, but he's lacked in the cardio department. We just saw Rozenstruik go five rounds with Overeem in which he displayed a tremendous chin. If he can hold up against Ngannou, we could have a new top contender in the heavyweight division.
Ngannou vs Rozenstruik Tale of the Tape
| Francis Ngannou | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Age | 32 |
| 6-foot-5 | Height | 6-foot-2 |
| 255.5 lbs | Weight | 250.5 lbs |
| 83 inches | Reach | 78 inches |
| 14-3 (10 KO) | Record | 10-0 (9 KO) |
Ngannou vs Rozenstruik predictions and betting picks
PREDICTION: Rozenstruik to win +245 – Ngannou is serious chalk here but laying that much in a matchup this close is risky. Look for Rozenstruik to negate Ngannou’s reach advantage by using kicks and then counter Ngannou’s sometimes wild strikes with efficient counter punching. If Rozenstruik can survive Ngannou’s barrage in the first round, he will be able to land a big blow and secure a massive victory.
PREDICTION: Fight will end with KO/TKO -300 – If you’re not completely sold on Rozenstruik you may as well take this bet. It’s the same odds as Ngannou winning but know you’re backing both fighters to finish. And finish fights is what these guys do. Ngannou has knocked out or submitted his opponent in all 14 of his MMA wins, while Rozenstruik has only gone to the scorecards once in his 10 fights. That’s a 96 percent finish rate.
PREDICTION: Rozenstruik by KO/TKO +380 – Well, we’re already taking Rozenstruik to win and for the fight to end with a KO/TKO, so this is the next logical step. Nganno can gas and hasn't fought since last June. Rozenstruik is on a tear and has fought four times in 2019. The value with "Bigi Boy" is too great to pass up.
