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MMAjunkie Radio co-host and MMAjunkie contributor Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the co-main event for UFC 229.

UFC 229 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Also see:

• UFC 229 main event breakdown: Is Khabib Nurmagomedov the worst matchup for Conor McGregor?

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Tony Ferguson (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’0″ Age: 34 Weight: 155 lbs. Reach: 76″
• Last fight: Submission win over Kevin Lee (Oct. 7, 2017)
• Camp: 10th Planet jiu-jitsu (California)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/muay Thai
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ Former interim UFC lightweight champion
+ 2x All-American wrestler
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt
+ 11 KO wins
+ 8 submission wins
+ 9 first-round finishes
+ Relentless pace and pressure
^ Well conditioned / consistent stalker
+ Dynamic striking assault
^ Shifts stance and variates timing
+ Solid wrestling ability
^ Superb hip, grip and lever awareness
+ Excellent from front-headlock
^ Chokes, transitions, back-takes
+ Active and attacking guard

Anthony Pettis (21-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC)

• Last fight: Submission win over Michael Chiesa (July 7, 2018)
• Camp: Roufusport (Milwaukee, Wisc.)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ Former UFC and WEC lightweight champ
+ Tae kwon do black belt (third degree)
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 9 KO victories
+ 8 submission wins
+ 12 first-round finishes
+ Good footwork and feints
+ Improved boxing
^ Accurate counter-cross
+ Diverse kicking game
^ Dangerous body attacks
+ Improved wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ Slick submission setups

Point of interest: Operating space

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The co-main event for UFC 229 features two fighters who use almost every weapon available to them – but prefer to do so at different ranges and paces.

Walking a fine line between forward-mover and voracious marauder, Tony Ferguson can seldom be found taking a back step in his fights.

Whether he is feinting or throwing, Ferguson – for the most part – is consistently putting pressure on his opponents, looking to either slice-and-dice his way inside or half-step his way into kill shots off of his accurate jab. However, it is in these instances of shifting attacks and advancements where Ferguson is most hittable/susceptible to being countered.

Against a striker like Anthony Pettis, Ferguson could get more than he bargains for.

Initially coming from a tae kwon do base, Pettis has been able to bring a spectacular array of kicking techniques into the cage. Balancing out his traditional stylings under the tutelage of Duke Roufus, Pettis has rounded out his attacks with punches and feints to help set up his fight-ending kicks.

As flashy as some of the kicks on his highlight reel may be, Pettis’ body kick seems to be his bread and butter, unloading them from either stance with authority. Considering the tall stature of his opponent, I would not be surprised to see Pettis unleash a healthy amount of liver kicks – which quite possibly may be his best shot at stopping his durable foe.

The former lightweight champion also has an underrated counter cross that could come in handy when looking at how much play it had for Edson Barboza in his matchup with Ferguson.

Still, Ferguson has shown an uncanny ability to absorb punishment and haunt his opposition, living up to his moniker of “El Cucuy.” And though rolling with oncoming offense to return fire can be a risky proposition in MMA, it is one that Ferguson – for now – gets positive returns on due to his persistence to stay poised and play the long game.

Next point of interest: Transitional grappling