UFC futures odds: Ngannou opens as slight favorite vs. Jones, Cormier
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou would be slightly favored if he were to fight light heavyweight champion Jon Jones or former two-division champ Daniel Cormier.
Odds for both potential matchups were released Tuesday. Ngannou opened as a -150 favorite over Jones, who opened at +130, and as a -140 favorite over Cormier, who opened at +120. The bouts must take place in 2020 for any wagers to count.
Neither fight is currently booked, but Jones recently expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight to face Ngannou. The UFC, meanwhile, has reportedly discussed scheduling an interim heavyweight title bout between Cormier and Ngannou if champion Stipe Miocic is unable to compete during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jones opened as a small underdog for a potential fight with Miocic earlier this year. Before that, he had last stepped into the Octagon as an underdog in 2009 against Stephan Bonnar in only his second UFC bout.
"Bones" is coming off a title defense against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February. He won by unanimous decision, but many thought the challenger deserved the nod from the judges.
Cormier hasn't competed since dropping the heavyweight belt in a rematch against Miocic at UFC 241 in August. Before the pandemic, "DC" - a former light heavyweight champion himself - was expected to meet Miocic in a trilogy bout this summer. Miocic, whose Ohio gym is closed due to the health crisis, said last week his team is working to secure a training facility so he can begin preparing for the Cormier fight.
Ngannou finished Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249 on May 9 to extend his winning streak to four.