After a great card in Newark, NJ, which saw a new Champion in Kayla Harrison and Merab Dvalishvili retain his belt, we are onto a UFC Fight Night taking place in Atlanta.
This card features 3 former Champs and is pretty stacked from start to finish. We are in store for a great night of fights. Today, I will break down my 3 favorite bets for this weekend’s fight card. Let’s get into it!
Cody Garbrandt, who is a former bantamweight champ, has been on a rollercoaster ride since he won the title. He is 3-6 in the UFC since defeating Dominick Cruz for the UFC title in what was one of the best performances of all time.
He is now 2-1 in his last 3, however, and has begun to look solid again. He now takes on 38-year-old Barcelos who is on an impressive 2-fight win streak. He just defeated rising star Payton Talbot and advanced his UFC record to 8-4.
Garbrandt has had a suspect chin in his run since he held the belt, but he has begun to change his style. Garbrandt’s boxing has always been very high level, and if he can manage the damage he takes, I think he can get the job done as an underdog. Barcelos is a scrappy veteran with a lot of power himself, but I think Cody can manage the distance and take the win.
MY PICK: Cody Garbrandt +164
Petroski comes into this fight rolling on a 3-fight win streak, which was much needed after a 2-fight losing streak where he was TKO’d twice. He now takes on Shahbazyan, who started his UFC career hot with 4-straight wins, but is 3-5 since.
Edman, who is still only 27, has faced some tough opponents, but has struggled with grappling in his career, and that is Petroski’s specialty. This fight will come down to Shahbazyan being able to avoid takedowns and get off his back.
Say what you will about Petroski’s fight style, he wins fights and usually dominates from start to finish. He is a great wrestler with a scary ground game that can end the fight if you make a mistake off your back. I think Petroski will keep it rolling this weekend and win it as the underdog.
MY PICK: Andre Petroski +150
It has been a rough go for the long-time champion of the welterweight division. Usman, who had a 3-year title reign, has now lost 3 straight fights, 2 of which were to Leon Edwards for the belt.
Most recently, he lost to rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev in a 3 round battle. Now he faces Buckley, who is one of the hottest fighters in the division and has the ability to KO anyone. Buckley has won 6 straight fights coming into this one, and a win against the former champ will cement him in the title shot discussion.
I think Buckley is going to win this fight. He is the younger, hungrier fighter and still has some goals to achieve in his career. Usman is a legend of the division and is on his way out, but he still has the skills to keep this fight close in my opinion.
I think he will be able to win a round or 2 for us and cover the spread. His wrestling has always been elite, and if he sticks to that game plan, he can keep this one manageable.
MY PICK: Kamaru Usman +5.5 +100