Former opponent of both Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov gives ‘El Cucuy’ the advantage at UFC 249

Nobody knows the UFC 249 main event match up as well as Edson Barboza.

That’s because the Brazilian striker has competed against both Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who collide for “The Eagle’s” lightweight strap in the pay-per-view (PPV) main event this April in Brooklyn, New York.

And he’s leaning toward “El Cucuy” for the upset.

“I think about the fight and think it’s a good fight for Khabib, but at the same time, Ferguson is hard to fight,” Barboza told Helen Yee (transcribed by Abhinav Kini). “His style, he’s a little bit different with everybody. I think Ferguson has a little advantage because he’s a little bit better striker. He’s more creative. Everybody knows what Khabib is doing but he does it very well. Everybody knows but nobody can stop it. I feel Ferguson, because he’s a little bit more creative, you never know what’s coming.”

Barboza was submitted by Ferguson via Brabo Choke at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 22 Finale back in late 2015. The flashy Brazilian went on to win his next three fights, but then came up short in a three-round mauling against Nurmagomedov at UFC 219 roughly two years back.

To see who else is fighting at UFC 249 click here.