Expert Picks: UFC Atlanta
UFC Atlanta returns to State Farm Arena this Saturday, June 14, delivering a stacked card headlined by a pivotal welterweight clash between former champion Kamaru Usman and surging contender Joaquin Buckley. Usman, looking to snap a three-fight skid, faces a red-hot Buckley, who’s riding a six-fight win streak since dropping to welterweight and recently knocked out Colby Covington. This main event could reshape the division’s title picture, with Buckley favored but Usman’s championship pedigree always a factor.
The co-main event features former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas against rising flyweight Miranda Maverick. Namajunas aims to reassert herself at 125 pounds, but Maverick’s physicality and recent momentum make her a live underdog in what’s expected to be a technical, high-paced bout.
Elsewhere on the main card, Edmen Shahbazyan faces Andre Petroski in a middleweight showdown, and Cody Garbrandt takes on Raoni Barcelos in a bantamweight tilt that could produce fireworks. Prospects like Malcolm Wellmaker and Oumar Sy also look to continue their ascent, while veterans Paul Craig and Michael Chiesa try to turn back the clock against dangerous opposition.
With a blend of established stars, rising contenders, and local prospects, UFC Atlanta promises a night of compelling action and divisional shakeups for fight fans.
With a great fight card on tap, money can be made at the sportsbook this Saturday night. Home of Fight is here to help put money in your pockets and cash out at the window this Saturday night. Let’s take a look at the Home of Fight expert picks for UFC Atlanta.
Buckley vs Usman | HOF
Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley
- HayJive – Joaquin Buckley
“I like Buckley to continue his run here. Usman is 38 now, coming off a near 2 year lay off. I don’t see him making a career turnaround against a legit contender in Buckley.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Joaquin Buckley
“Usman is on a 3 fight losing streak, and it’s been a while since he’s fought. He’s older now, while Buckley is showing to get better and better. The explosiveness and power could be a lot for Usman to handle here.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Joaquin Buckley
“Buckley is strong and I believe has the KO power, though Usman has proven to be durable, despite the Leon Edwards KO. Moreover, it is hard to imagine Usman giving up. I can see a few closer rounds, though Buckley taking it home due to cumulative damage.”
- Corrie – Joaquin Buckley
“Buckley’s going to be too strong and too fast for Usman at this point in his career and considering how these vet vs younger prospect main events have gone lately (JDM, Morales, Lerone Murphy) the younger guys have been taking over, and I think we’ll be seeing more or less of the same story again this Saturday.”
- The Fight Analyst – Joaquin Buckley
“Buckley is now riding a six-fight winning streak and is getting the hype and big fight he deserves. He is getting the aging Usman at the right time, who’s coming off the longest layoff of his career and is on a massive decline. His youth, speed, and power should overcome the technical aspects of Usman as he outstrikes Usman, potentially putting him away midway through this fight and staking his claim at the top of the division.”
Namajunas vs Maverick | HOF
Rose Namajunas vs. Miranda Maverick
- HayJive – Rose Namajunas
“I’ll take Rose to win. Rose is the more well rounded fighter on paper and has fought the better competition. They are training partners which could lead to a weird fight but I think Rose should win.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Rose Namajunas
“3 rounds should benefit Rose here, allowing her to push a pace and use her striking to win minutes. If she can let her hands go I expect her to have the much bigger minutes and moments.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Rose Namajunas
“I believe there won’t be a huge size discrepancy in this fight, unlike Rose’s debut at flyweight. Skillwise, I believe Rose is on another level.”
- Corrie – Rose Namajunas
“Rose obviously has the cleaner striking, championship experience, and enough grappling to win if she fights aggressive but she’s 2-3 in her last five and hasn’t looked like prime rose in a while. I think Maverick could be live to grind out a decision but I’m staying out of this one mostly – I’ll say Rose wins but this isn’t a confident pick.”
- The Fight Analyst – Rose Namajunas
“Rose Namajunas finally has a size advantage for the first time in her time in the flyweight division. This should help her fend off the takedowns from Miranda Maverick and keep this fight on her feet. While the fight is on the feet, Namajunas should have all the advantage and outstrike Maverick to a wide decision.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Petroski
- HayJive – Edmen Shahbazyan
“Petroski could have success if he gets his wrestling going, but I expect Edmen to find an early finish. He’s still just 28 years old and improving, he’s very dangerous and we’ve seen Petroski finished before.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Edmen Shahbazyan
“Edmen is the far better striker, and if he keeps it standing Andre will be in trouble. Edmen is only 27 years old and I expect him to keep getting better as he enters his prime.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Edmen Shahbazyan
“We’ve seen Petroski hurt in odd ways, and similarly we’ve seen Shabazyan drop the ball after a good start. While not ultra confident, I can see a scenario where Shabazyan finds Petroski’s chin early and gets the job done.”
- Corrie – Andre Petroski
“This fight terrifies me because Edmen is so round 1 or bust and Andre is my decision-master in shining armor… This is one of the few times I’ll ever condon a double chance bet but ultimately… If Andre can survive the early storm, his wrestling and gas tank should take over for a late sub or decision win.”
- The Fight Analyst – Edmen Shahbazyan
“This fight should have violence right from the jump. Shahbazyan has very heavy hands and great combinations and as long as he doesn’t have his usual cardio dump he should put Petroski away early to keep his winning ways going.”
Garbrandt vs Barcelos | HOF
Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos
- HayJive – Raoni Barcelos
“I like Barcelos here, he is the better fighter at this point in their careers. If Cody doesn’t land a KO blow early, I see Barcelos working in the grappling and taking over.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Raoni Barcelos
“I’m not sure where the head of Cody is, and how the chin will be here. If Roani can mix in some grappling successfully I think he can perform well against the former champ.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Cody Garbrandt
“I believe Cody to be the more skilled fighter. Barcelos, while well-rounded, isn’t necessarily a heavy handed KO killer, or ultra skilled grappler. Garbrandt has primarily struggled with heavy handed fighters which is not the case here.”
- Corrie – Raoni Barcelos
“Garbrandt’s still quick but his chin and form have dipped, while Barcelos is the cleaner striker with better volume, accuracy, and defense. That said, if there’s an upset waiting to happen it’s probably Cody by being dangerous and insane early on, but all say Barcelo takes this.”
- The Fight Analyst – Roani Barcelos
“Two veteran bantamweights at the tail end of their careers but only one of them is coming into this fight riding a two-fight winning streak with one as a massive underdog in his last fight against a top prospect. Barcelos still shows that he has some gas left in the tank, which isn’t to be said about Garbrandt. If Barcelos mixes in the grappling, I’d expect him to outwork Garbrandt, potentially getting the sub or the nod on the scorecards.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Cody Brundage vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik
- HayJive – Mansur Abdul-Malik
“This one shouldn’t last very long, Brundage will have his chances early but if Abdul can use his size and physicality I think he can take over.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Mansur Abdul-Malik
“Mansur should be able to land big damage on Brundage, but also have a better gas tank. I think Mansur either finishes this early, and takes over if it gets extended.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Mansur Abdul-Malik
“Malik can cause damage early and often and Cody Brundage is a kill or be killed fighter. I believe that if Malik finds the target early, it will be a short night.”
- Corrie – Mansur Abdul-Malik
“Mansur has a lot of different advantages over Cody, who’s tough, experienced, and unpredictable as hell, but often struggles with control and pace and I don’t think that Cody having just the wrestling edge is enough to close the gap. I also like that Mansur stays composed, uses his speed, and honestly I could see him finding a finish.”
- The Fight Analyst – Mansur Abdul-Malik
“Hopefully, this isn’t a case where Abdul-Malik comes out strong, doesn’t get the early finish, and fades because we need the sacrificial lamb that is Cody Brundage off the main cards. Abdul-Malik should run through Brundage early, getting the finish and continuing his climb in the middleweight division.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Alonzo Menifield vs. Oumar Sy
- HayJive – Oumar Sy
“Sy looks like the goods, but he is still very green. He should have Menifield covered in almost every aspect, if he fights smart he should walk away with a clean win.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Oumar Sy
“Sy should be more well rounded and have the ability to control Menifield against the cage. Mix in the takedowns, and Sy should have chance to win the fight by finish.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Oumar Sy
“I believe Sy is the more skilled fighter, has the size and reach advantage and can hurt Menifield in a calculated fashion, looking for a sub after hurting him on the feet.”
- Corrie – Oumar Sy
“Oumar Sy is undefeated and has really slick grappling with a huge size and reach advantage, plus he’s way younger and fresher than Menifield, who I fade every chance I get. If Oumar gets Alonzo’s back early, it could be wraps, I’m picking Oumar Sy to win.”
- The Fight Analyst – Oumar Sy
“It’s tough to be confident in Menifield, who seemingly lost his last fight to Julius Walker, who was underwhelmed in his UFC debut. Sy just has a much higher ceiling and has every advantage in this fight, and as long as he doesn’t get held or controlled for long portions in this fight, his damage should triumph as he gets the biggest win of his career this weekend and stays undefeated.”
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