From the Peach State of Georgia, the UFC makes its fifth appearance to the bustling city of Atlanta for another stacked Fight Night card held in the State Farm Arena. In the main event, welterweight phenoms vie for divisional supremacy when the dominant Joaquin Buckley puts his six-fight win streak on the line versus previous five-time defending champion Kamaru Usman. Before that, though, Miranda Maverick goes face-to-face with twice 115-lb gold standard Rose Namajunas.
Dropping down to the 170-lb category a little over two years ago, Buckley has cemented himself as one of the top contenders in the weight class, picking recent stellar wins over Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. Looking like the-soon-to-be next man in line for the championship, “New Mansa” is seeking to garner another exceptional victory over another established name in the storied Usman.
Having not competed in the Octagon since suffering a majority decision defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, no one knows just how former UFC welterweight king Usman will look stepping into his first bout in two years. One thing is certain, however, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has proven on many occasions that he can go the five-round distance, something that Buckley has never done in his UFC career.
Co-Main Event
Riding a strong four-fight winning streak, Maverick will attempt to enter the female flyweight class’s top 10 when she locks horns with her first championship-level opponent in the promotion. Holding the record for the second most takedowns in the division’s history, the Missouri native will look to impose her will and control Namajunas in order to shut down her elite striking game.
2-2 after moving up to the 125-lb weight class in 2023, Namajunas has positioned herself firmly as one of her new category’s finest following a monumental run at strawweight. Refusing to rest on her laurels, “Thug” will resume her match toward title contention once more with a thorough thrashing of another stalwart contender.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Middleweight prospects Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski vie for a chance to continue their ascension towards contendership. Then, previous bantamweight king Cody Garbrandt comes to blows with the veteran Raoni Barcelos. Also, hot 185-lb fighter Mansur Abdul-Malik is on the hunt for his ninth straight win against Cody Brundage. Finally, light heavyweight bruisers Alonzo Menifield and Oumar Sy bang it out in what will go down as a 205-lb barnburner.
UFC On ESPN 69 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC On ESPN 69 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC 316:
- Hank Strandberg: 38-91
- Frazer Krohn: 24-74
- Drew Zuhosky: 24-105
- Jeremy Brand: 23-95
- Andrew Benjamin: 14-72
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Oumar Sy -501
Vs.
Alonzo Menifield +376
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Sy by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Menifield by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Menifield by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Menifield by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Menifield by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Sy: 1
Staff picking Menifield: 4
Mansur Abdul-Malik -700
Vs.
Cody Brundage +500
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Abdul-Malik by first round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Abdul-Malik by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Brundage by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Abdul-Malik by second round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Brundage by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Abdul-Malik: 3
Staff picking Brundage: 2
Raoni Barcelos -160
Vs.
Cody Garbrandt +140
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Barcelos by third round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Garbrandt by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Garbrandt by first round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Garbrandt by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Garbrandt by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Barcelos: 1
Staff picking Garbrandt: 4
Edmen Shahbazyan -200
Vs.
Andre Petroski +170
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Shahbazyan by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Petroski by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Shahbazyan by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Petroski by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Shahbazyan by second round Knockout
Staff picking Shahbazyan:
Staff picking Petroski: 2
Rose Namajunas -281
Vs.
Miranda Maverick +241
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Namajunas by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Namajunas by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Namajunas by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Namajunas by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Namajunas by Split Decision
Staff picking Namajunas: 5
Staff picking Maverick: 0
Joaquin Buckley -250
Vs.
Kamaru Usman +210
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Buckley by third round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Buckley by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Usman by first round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Usman by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin:
Staff picking Buckley: 2
Staff picking Usman: 2
