UFC Atlanta Fight Night: Usman’s Return, Buckley’s Rise
Table of Contents
- UFC Atlanta Fight Night: Usman’s Return, Buckley’s Rise
- Odds, Lines, Prop Bets & Predictions: expert Picks
Betting Odds and Predictions for a Stacked Fight Card
ATLANTA, June 13, 2025 – Time.news Staff.
The State Farm Arena in Atlanta is buzzing with anticipation for Saturday’s UFC fight card, headlined by a clash between former champion Kamaru Usman and rising star Joaquin Buckley.
- Kamaru Usman faces Joaquin Buckley in the main event.
- Rose Namajunas takes on Miranda Maverick in the co-main event.
- Betting odds and predictions are available for the full card.
What can fans expect at UFC Atlanta? UFC Atlanta, taking place on June 14 from the State Farm Arena, promises a night of high-stakes action, with former champion Kamaru Usman looking to bounce back against Joaquin Buckley.
The UFC Atlanta fight card, airing on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+, has a compelling main event, as well as a significant co-main event bout.
Usman vs. Buckley: A Clash of Styles
Kamaru Usman (20-4), the former UFC welterweight champion, is looking to end a three-fight losing streak. The 38-year-old last fought in October 2023, dropping a split decision to Khamzat Chimaev.
Usman lost his 170-pound crown to Leon Edwards via a head-kick knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022. He lost the rematch at UFC 286 in March 2023 via a majority decision. Before his losses, Usman defended the title five times.
Usman is the No. 5 ranked fighter in the UFC’s welterweight weight class. He has a career record of 20-3.
Joaquin Buckley (21-6) is the No. 7 fighter in the UFC’s 170-pound weight class. The 31-year-old Buckley is on a roll since dropping to welterweight in 2023.
Buckley is 6-0 during his current welterweight run with four knockouts and two decision wins. He fought four times in 2024, picking up a knockout win over Vicente Luque, a decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev, a knockout over two-time UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson and a doctor stoppage TKO win over former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington in December.
When the betting lines opened for the UFC Atlanta main event, Usman was a +220 betting underdog to the -275 Buckley. Today, Buckley is the -285 betting favorite, while the former UFC champ is a +225 betting underdog.
Usman has received 70 percent of the bets on this fight, while 56 percent of the handle has come in on Buckley.
The betting pick is for Buckley to win via decision, but there’s a chance of a Buckley knockout victory.
Namajunas vs. Maverick: A Flyweight Showdown
Rose Namajunas (13-7) was 2-1 and had under two years of professional MMA experience when she fought Carla Esparza for the UFC women’s strawweight title on the season finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 20. Esparza won that December 2014 bout by submission, claiming the inaugural 115-pound title.
Over the next few years, Namajunas was essentially learning on the job, and she learned well, running up a record of 4-1 between October 2015 and April 2017.
In November 2017, Namajunas stepped into the Octagon to face then-UFC strawweight titleholder Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Namajunas stunned the MMA world that night, scoring an upset first-round knockout win to become the champ. Proving her victory was not a fluke, Namajunas defeated Jedrzejczyk by decision in their rematch in April 2018.
Namajunas lost the title in her second attempted defense when Jessica Andrade scored a slam knockout win at UFC 237. A non-title fight victory over Andrade, who dropped the belt in August 2019 to Zhang Weili, followed. That win earned Namajunas another shot at the title.
In April 2021, Namajunas regained the belt with a perfectly timed head kick to stop Weili in the first round. She defeated the former champ by decision in their rematch in November 2021. Namajunas surrendered the title to Esparza in May 2022 in a tepid performance.
Since losing the title, Namajunas is 2-2 at 125 pounds, losing a decision to Manon Fiorot in September 2023, defeating Amanda Ribas by decision in March 2024 and beating Tracy Cortez by decision in July 2024. In her most recent outing, Namajunas dropped a decision to Erin Blanchfield in November.
Namajunas is the No. 7 ranked UFC women’s flyweight fighter.
Miranda Maverick (15-5) joined the UFC in 2020 after spending most of her time with Invicta FC. At the time, she was 7-2 and coming off a “Performance of the Night” bonus-winning decision win over Pearl Gonzalez.
Maverick opened her UFC career with two wins. The promotion then matched her against another young fighter, Maycee Barber. Barber was on a two-fight losing skid at the time. She ended that run of defeats with a split-decision win over Maverick.
Things did not get any easier for Maverick in her next matchup, as the UFC booked her opposite Erin Blanchfield, who was 1-0 in the UFC, but riding a four-fight winning streak. Blanchfield kept that winning streak intact with a unanimous decision win over Maverick.
Since those back-to-back setbacks, Maverick has gone 6-1 with her only loss being a June 2023 decision to Jasmine Jasudavicius. She is 4-0 in her most recent bouts, and coming off a unanimous decision win over Jamey-Lyn Horth in December.
Maverick is ranked 11th in the UFC’s 125-pound division.
When the betting opened for the UFC Atlanta co-main event, Namajunas was a -275 favorite over Maverick, who came in at +220. Those odds have shifted slightly. Today, Namajunas is listed at -250, while Maverick is the +200 betting underdog.
Bettors have placed most of their wagers on Maverick (75 percent), while most of the money is on Namajunas (85 percent).
The betting pick is for Namajunas to beat Maverick by decision.
More UFC Atlanta Matchups and Predictions
Here are some other matchups to watch for this Saturday:
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski
Here we have a middleweight matchup between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski. When the betting odds opened Shahbazyan was the -200 favorite over the +165 Petroski. The odds have shifted slightly, yet Shahbazyan remains the favorite at -185, while Petroski is the +150 betting underdog.
Petroski is the favorite for the bettors, who have placed 91 percent of the bets on him, while throwing 80 percent of the money his way.
The betting pick is to go with the underdog, Petroski via decision.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt fights for the first time in over a year when he meets Raoni Barcelos in a 135-pound bout in Atlanta. When the betting opened for this one, Garbrandt was a +125 underdog to Barcelos’s -150. Today, Barcelos is a -200 favorite, while Garbrandt is the +165 betting underdog.
Garbrandt has a slight edge in bets at 52 percent, but the overwhelming money is on Barcelos at 86 percent.
Garbrandt is the better striker, and he could ride that striking to a win here, but if he gets reckless and chases the knockout, Barcelos could use his wrestling to grind out a win. The pick is Barcelos via decision.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage
The first middleweight bout on Saturday’s card is Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Cody Brundage. Abdul-Malik was a -55o betting favorite over the +400 Brundage when odds opened. Today, Abdul-Malik is listed as a prohibitive -800 over the +550 Brundage.
With the lopsided odds, Brundage has picked up 70 percent of the bets. However, bettors seem inclined to wager bigger on Abdul-Malik, who has 78 percent of the handle.
The pick is for Abdul-Malik to use his striking to score a knockout of Brundage.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
Opening the UFC Atlanta card is a light heavyweight matchup between Alonzo Menifield and Oumar Sy. The opening odds for this contest saw Sy as a -500 favorite over Menifield, who was +260. Sy has moved to a -700 favorite, while Menifield has dropped to a +500 underdog.
Most of the bets are on Menifield (59 percent), while most of the wagers are on Sy (80 percent).
The betting pick is for Sy to win via knockout.
*Odds via BetMGM
UFC Atlanta: Prop Bets to Consider
Here are some prop bets to watch:
Buckley to beat Usman via KO/TKO: +140
Namajunas to beat Maverick via decision: -185
Maverick to beat Namajunas via decision: +300
Shahbazyan to beat Petroski via KO/TKO in Round 1: +245
Petroski to beat Shahbazyan via decision: +375
Garbrandt to beat Barcelos via KO/TKO: +285
Abdul-Malik to beat Brundage by KO/TKO: -325
Abdul-Malik to beat Brundage in Round 1: -105
Abdul-Malik to beat Brundage in Round 2: +275
Menifield to beat Sy: +500
*All bets and odds via BetOnline
More on the UFC Atlanta fight card, including fight night results and reactions, will be available on Saturday.
Odds, Lines, Prop Bets & Predictions: expert Picks
Navigating the world of sports betting can feel like learning a new language – this guide clarifies everything.
Core Explainer: Decoding the World of Sports Betting
Sports betting has evolved far beyond picking the winner. Now, you can wager on almost every aspect of a game, thanks to the expansion of odds, lines, and prop bets.Understanding these terms is the first step to informed betting.
What Are Odds?
Odds represent the probability of an outcome. They’re expressed in different formats, including American (moneyline), fractional, and decimal.American odds use positive and negative numbers. Positive odds indicate how much profit you’ll make on a $100 bet, while negative odds show how much you need to stake to win $100.
Fractional odds present the profit relative to your stake. For example, 5/1 odds mean you’ll win $5 for every $1 you bet, plus your stake back. Decimal odds represent the total payout for every $1 wagered; a 3.50 decimal odd means you’ll receive $3.50 for every $1 staked.
What Are Lines?
Lines, also known as point spreads, are used to even the playing field in a sports contest.The sportsbook handicappers set a point spread to reflect the expected difference in the score. Teams are given a handicap; the favorite must win by more than the spread for bets on them to pay out, while the underdog can lose by less than the spread or win outright.
What Are Prop Bets?
Short for “proposition bets,” prop bets focus on specific events within a game that aren’t directly related to the final score. Prop bets can range from individual player performances (e.g., number of touchdowns) to game-specific events (e.g.,the first player to score). These can offer exciting betting opportunities, but they frequently enough require more in-depth research.
Benefits & Practical Tips for smarter Betting
Becoming a savvy bettor takes time and practice. These tips are designed to help you make more informed decisions and enjoy the process.
- Research, Research, Research: Understand the sport, teams, and players. Review stats, news, and injury reports.
- Shop for the Best Lines: Different sportsbooks offer different odds. Compare lines to maximize your potential winnings.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Decide how much money you’ll spend, and stick to it.Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
- specialize: Focus on a few sports or leagues. This allows you to stay current with key developments and trends.
- Consider Contrarian Betting: Sometimes, the public opinion is wrong. Look at how the public is betting to find possible value in a different outcome.
- Follow the “Expert” Advice: Look beyond the casual picks and seek out in-depth analysis from trusted sources.
- Use Recordkeeping: Track your bets,wins,and losses. this data helps you identify areas for improvement.
- Stay Disciplined: Avoid impulse bets when you’re frustrated or excited. Stick to decisions based on research and analysis, not emotion.
Case Studies: How to use Odds, lines, and prop Bets to Your Advantage
Let’s look at a few examples of how applying the above strategies can influence your betting strategy:
Example 1: point Spread Analysis
A matchup between the top-ranked team and a weaker opponent features a point spread of -7.5 in favor of the favorite. After examining the teams’ recent form, player availability, and head-to-head history, you believe the underdog has a decent chance to keep it within the spread. By betting on the underdog +7.5, you are in a good position to win.
Example 2: Prop Bet Research
Before a basketball game, you analyze a star player’s recent scoring averages and his opponents’ defensive strategy.You place a “Over/Under” bet on the player’s points. If the data suggests this player is highly likely to exceed his point line, the prop bet offers a good chance.
Example 3: Line Shopping example
You are looking at a baseball game, and one sportsbook offers the favorite at -2.0 with -110 odds (bet $110 to win $100 approximately), while another offers the same team at -1.5 with the same -110 odds. As this is a better value proposition, you select the second sportsbook. By comparing lines, you find the best value and increase your chances of a successful bet.
Myths vs. Facts About Sports Betting
Separating fact from fiction is vital in sports betting. Here’s a look at some myths and truths.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “You can always predict the winner.” | Sports are inherently unpredictable. Upsets happen. |
| “following hot streaks is a sure thing.” | Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Variance is always a factor. |
| “I can get rich quick.” | Sustainable success in sports betting is a long-term game focused on discipline and informed wagering. |
| “Being unlucky always makes me lose.” | Although variance plays a part in wins or losses,bankroll management,research,and finding the best odds are key. |
FAQs: Quick Answers to Your Betting questions
Have questions? here are some of the most commonly asked questions.
What’s the difference between a “moneyline” and a “point spread?”
the moneyline refers to a bet simply on which team will win outright, while a point spread tries to even out the playing field by giving the underdog a points advantage for betting purposes.
How do I calculate my potential payout?
The payout depends on the odds.With positive odds, divide the odds by 100 and then multiply by your stake. For example, if the odds are +200 with a $10 wager, the payout is $20 (200/100 * $10). For negative odds, divide 100 by the odds and multiply by your stake. For example, if the odds are -110 with a $110 wager, the payout is roughly $100 (100/110 * $100).
What is “bankroll management,” and why is it important?
Bankroll management is the practice of setting aside a specific amount of money you can afford to wager and responsibly allocating it across your bets. It’s essential because it helps to protect you from losing more than you can comfortably afford and encourages you to maintain a disciplined strategy.
How do sportsbooks make money?
sportsbooks make money through the “vig,” or “juice,” which is the commission they charge on each bet. The vig is built into the odds. As an example, with -110 odds (requiring you to bet $110 to win $100), the sportsbook profits a small amount nonetheless of the outcome.
Did you know? Understanding the vig is crucial if you want to analyze the true value of a bet.
Where can I find the best odds?
Many websites and apps compare odds from various sportsbooks. Searching for “sports betting odds comparison” will help you find these resources.Prices vary, and finding the best lines is key to maximizing your payout.
Expert tip: Register with multiple sportsbooks; it gives you the flexibility to shop for the best odds.
The world of odds, lines, and prop bets can seem complex but is easily broken down with an understanding of core concepts.
always remember to bet responsibly, knowing your limits, and always keeping your passion for sports in mind.
