Prediction: Mansur Abdul-Malik VS Cody Brundage 2025-06-14
The sweet science of MMA handicapping! We've got a real barnburner of a matchup for you, folks - Mansur Abdul-Malik taking on Cody Brundage at UFC Atlanta. The boss man, Dana White, is hyping this one up as an "explosive" and "big test" for the undefeated Abdul-Malik.
Let's dive into the numbers. Abdul-Malik is a 1.09-1.12 favorite across various bookmakers, which translates to a win probability of around 92-95%. That's a pretty high bar for Brundage to clear. The dude's got an impressive record, though - 8-0 with seven knockouts and one submission. He's been finishing fights left and right, with his first five pro opponents all going down inside the first round.
Brundage, on the other hand, is looking to spoil the party. He's a sizable underdog, with odds ranging from 6.5-8.0. That's a win probability of around 11-14%. Not great, but not impossible either.
Now, let's talk about the historical trends. We know that underdogs in MMA have a win rate of around 35%. But here's the thing - Abdul-Malik is not just any underdog. He's a undefeated fighter with a 100% finishing rate, and he's facing a guy in Brundage who's... well, not exactly proven on the biggest stage.
Given the odds and the trends, I'm going to make a data-driven best bet: Mansur Abdul-Malik to win by finish (KO/TKO or submission) at around -140 to -160. That's a pretty good price considering his finishing skills and Brundage's tendency to get finished.
The over/under line is sitting at 1.5, with the over priced around 2.65-2.74 and the under around 1.47-1.48. I'm inclined to take the over, given both fighters' aggressive styles and finishing abilities. But hey, that's just a bonus bet - the main play is Abdul-Malik to get the W.
One more thing: keep an eye on any significant injuries or updates leading up to the fight. If both guys are healthy and ready to go, I think we can expect a fireworks-filled matchup. But if there's any doubt about either fighter's status, it might be worth adjusting your bets accordingly.
In conclusion, Abdul-Malik is the clear favorite here, and for good reason. But MMA is a crazy sport, and we've seen upsets before. If you're feeling brave, you could always take a shot on Brundage at a nice price. Just don't say I didn't warn you...
Created: June 14, 2025, 10:36 p.m. GMT