Opening Odds for UFC’s May 9th Card

• UFC and Dana White announced the promotion will return on May 9
• Three title fights will headline a star-studded card
• See the opening odds below

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the sports world and the world, UFC president Dana White has been adamant the UFC will continue to do events. They were scheduled to hold UFC 249 on April 18 on Tribal Land in California before the higher-ups at ESPN and Disney told White to cancel the event.

Now, just a few days later, White announced a star-studded card for their return on May 9. He didn’t reveal the location but says this event will happen. It is an amazing card but still many are skeptical of if it will go ahead. But, oddsmakers have released the opening odds for the event.

UFC May 9 Odds

All odds taken April 16

Ferguson vs Gaethje

When UFC 249 was postponed many fans were hoping the UFC would just go back to Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov. It is the fight fans wanted but the promotion decided to stick with Ferguson vs Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.

This is a phenomenal fight that guarantees to be fireworks between two fan-favorite fighters. Right now, the odds are where I figured they’d be as Ferguson should be the favorite but it is on the higher end as I thought he’d only be a -150 to -160 favorite. Gaethje poses so many problems with brutal leg kicks and legit one-punch knockout power and we’ve seen Ferguson be rocked and dropped in fights.

Ultimately, at these current odds, I still like Ferguson as I believe he can weather the storm and gas out Gaethje to and TKO him in the later rounds. But, if the line starts to go any higher I think it is a dog or pass situation.

Pick: Tony Ferguson (-175)

Cejudo vs Cruz

The bantamweight title is on the line as Henry Cejudo is looking for his first title defense against Dominick Cruz. Cruz will be fighting for the first time since 2016 when he was absolutely dominated by Cody Garbrandt to lose his bantamweight title.

On paper, I don’t like this fight at all as there are so many other contenders like Pert Yan, Cory Sandhagen and Aljamain Sterling who deserve a title shot. But, Cejudo and the UFC want this legend fights that don’t make a ton of sense. It also is a fight that may not even happen as Cruz has been injury-prone and has had to pull out of several fights since 2016.

At this current line, I do believe there is still value on Henry Cejudo as his wrestling will pose problems for Cruz. Striking-wise the Cruz should have the advantage but he is rusty and no one knows how he will be. So, at -225 I like Cejudo’s value but I suspect we will see this line go past the -250 mark and if it does, it becomes a dog or pass situation.

Pick: Henry Cejudo (-225)

Hardy vs de Castro

This fight has been booked now three times as the UFC really wants to see who the better heavyweight prospect is. Greg Hardy had a frustrating debut year in the UFC with a 2-2 and one no-contest record. De Castro, meanwhile, is coming off a spectacular knockout win over Justin Tafa.

When this fight was made for UFC Columbus I really liked de Castro and I still do, especially as an underdog. Hardy is the bigger name but people have loved to bet against him as they don’t like him or his past. So, I think de Castro at +165 in a heavyweight fight where someone is going to sleep is good value. But, I suspect these odds will go near a pick’em fight by the time they step inside the Octagon.

Pick: Yorgan de Castro (+165)