UFC Atlanta predictions: Usman vs. Buckley

Postado por Maurício Oliveira, em 10/06 - Atualizado há 5 dias

UFC Atlanta: Usman vs. Buckley marks the organization’s return to Georgia, promising a historic night at the State Farm Arena on June 14. Check out our full analysis and predictions for the card.

UFC Atlanta picks: Usman vs Buckley

Jamey-Lyn Horth x Vanessa Demopoulos

Bet: Horth wins

Analysis: Horth will have a huge advantage in terms of height, wingspan and… well, that’s about it, because she’s a very average athlete. Demopoulos, after losing two in a row at welterweight, decided to move up to flyweight, but will now be at a considerable physical disadvantage. And Vanessa’s takedown defense in her last fight was extremely worrying… and on top of that, she took the fight on a few days’ notice.

Phil Rowe x Ange Loosa

Bet: Loosa wins

Analysis: Rowe is a knockout artist, very tall for his category. The problem for him is when the fight goes the distance. And Ange so far has never been knocked out or finished, he has a more imposing physique, he’s a very strong guy. If he can get in close and stick Rowe on the fence or even take him down to tire him out at least in the first round, Loosa will be fine.

Ricky Simon vs Cameron Smotherman

Bet: Simon wins

Analysis: Smotherman answered the call with very few days to face Ricky, as Charles Jourdain was injured. The problem is that Simon is already a pain in the ass to face with a full camp, imagine with just a few days… Ricky has good boxing and his grappling is distinctive, not to mention that he’s a tough guy. Cameron will have a slight height advantage, but I don’t see him having enough weapons to nullify his opponent’s game.

Cody Durden vs Jose Ochoa

Bet: Ochoa wins

Analysis: Ochoa is a young Peruvian who trains at Chute Boxe Diego Lima. He made a good debut, despite losing against the great Lone’er Kavanagh. José is dangerous in all areas and will be ten years his junior against Cody Durden, who is practically a UFC veteran, even if he is “only” 34. He has fought in the event several times, winning and losing. His weak point is his takedown defense, but he’s also been knocked out. I’m confident that the Peruvian will want to show his mettle.

Malcolm Wellmaker x Kris Moutinho

Bet: Wellmaker wins

Analysis: Malcolm is different. The youngster has absurd knockout power and even if the fight goes the distance, his gas doesn’t tend to fail. Moutinho has more experience and has fought in the UFC before, but has been knocked out countless times. He’s on a five-fight winning streak in small events, where he dominated weak opponents. As I see it, the only doubt is in which round Malcolm will knock him out.

Michael Chiesa vs Court McGee

Bet: McGee wins

Analysis: Chiesa is 37 while McGee is 40… so age shouldn’t make that much of a difference here. They’re both very good at jiu-jitsu, but in terms of defense, Chiesa loses out as he’s been knocked out a few times. McGee is also a bit tougher, in principle. I think McGee has a better chance of winning, either by decision or by finding a finish. But whoever doesn’t bet on this fight wins.

Paul Craig x Rodolfo Bellato

Bet: Bellato wins

Analysis: This fight would have happened last month, but it was rescheduled. I still have the same hunch, that Bellato will probably win by knockout. But my warning remains the same: Bellato isn’t a guy with a very high fight IQ… if he tries to tangle with Paul Craig on the ground, he’s going to be in trouble and I wouldn’t doubt the Scot finding a finish. But the normal scenario is that the Brazilian’s knockout power overcomes him.

Alonzo Menifield x Oumar Sy

Bet: Sy wins

Analysis: While Sy is a cerebral, giant fighter with a wingspan of more than two meters, Menifield is older, shorter and has shown a rather questionable fighting IQ. I believe the undefeated Frenchman will win easily.

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Cody Brundage

Bet: Abdul-Malik wins

Analysis: Abdul has a lot of knockout power and has been destroying the athletes that come his way. Brundage is a guy who has shown a slight evolution, but when he’s under a lot of pressure, he tends to give up. And this time, I think it’s very difficult for Mansur to give him much space. Cody’s hope is to tire Abdul out, especially in the first round, but I don’t see him easily taking Mansur down and controlling him.

Cody Garbrandt vs Raoni Barcelos

Bet: Barcelos wins

Analysis: After the Brazilian’s last two performances, how can you not trust him? The 38-year-old simply destroyed Payton Talbott’s hype with an absurd performance. Now he’s up against a Cody who hasn’t fought in over a year and has a chin that is, to say the least, suspect. Of course, Cody has the power to knock him out, especially in the first round, but if Raoni keeps up the cerebral style of his last few bouts, he has every chance of tiring Garbrandt out and then doing whatever he wants to the American.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski

Bet: Petroski wins

Analysis: Shahbazyan has the touch of death, especially in the first round, but he doesn’t have a very efficient takedown defense. Petroski’s game is totally one-dimensional: stick to his opponent, take him down and control. He’s been doing that to perfection. Now, if he stays on his feet for too long, he’ll go to sleep: all three of Andre’s losses have been by knockout. He has to try and take Edmen down as soon as the fight starts. And I may be crazy, but I think he’ll do it.

Rose Namajunas vs Miranda Maverick

Bet: Maverick wins

Analysis: Another very difficult fight to predict. Namajunas is from the top tier of women’s MMA, has done it all and is only 32. Maverick is 27 and has been flying in the UFC. What impresses me most is Miranda’s physique: she’s very strong and can dominate her opponents with a certain ease. Of course, now against Rose, we’ll know which shelf Maverick belongs on.

Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley

Bet: Buckley wins

Analysis: It should be a baton pass. Usman is 38 years old, has been fighting practically once a year and is already on a three-fight losing streak, one to Chimaev and two to Leon Edwards. Buckley, on the other hand, is an extremely strong fighter who has been knocking out everyone in front of him, the guy looks like a tank! Of course, there’s the question of experience. Usman is used to five-round bouts and if he can get his takedowns and tire Joaquin out in the early rounds, he could spill the beans. Buckley will have to be patient and know how to score in the rounds. If he goes crazy and wants to knock Joquin out as soon as possible, he’s going to have a long and unproductive night.

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Best UFC Atlanta predictions: Usman vs. Buckley

  • Ange Loosa
  • José Ochoa
  • Andre Petroski

UFC Atlanta: Usman vs Buckley schedule

The UFC Atlanta: Usman vs. Buckley will take place on June 14 at the State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA. The event will feature a total of 13 fights. The preliminary card will start at 8pm (Brasília time), followed by the main card, which will start at 11pm.

UFC Atlanta: Usman vs Buckley where to watch

The UFC Atlanta: Usman vs Buckley is coming up and, to make sure you don’t miss any details, we’ve organized all the options for broadcasting the fights. Check it out:

Take advantage of these options so you don’t miss a moment of this great event!