Ferguson opens as underdog in Nurmagomedov bout at UFC 223
Tony Ferguson's exploits in the cage haven't curried him much favor with oddsmakers.
The reigning UFC interim lightweight champion has opened as a +165 underdog to Khabib Nurmagomedov's -200 favorite in their tilt at UFC 223, according to MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa.
Ferguson enters the April 7 matchup at Brooklyn's Barclays Center as a betting underdog despite boasting a division-best 10-fight win streak. His latest victory is a third-round submission of Kevin Lee that crowned him interim champ at UFC 216 in October.
The undefeated Nurmagomedov returned from a 13-month layoff at UFC 219, where he re-cemented himself as the division's top contender with a three-round mauling of Edson Barboza. The lopsided decision improved his promotional record to 9-0.
Three previous bookings between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov fell through. It remains to be seen whether they'll clash for Ferguson's interim crown or the division's undisputed throne, as reigning - and inactive - king Conor McGregor is rumored to soon be stripped.