Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley: UFC 307 Odds, Prediction
“Wonderboy” saw his recent struggles extended with a second-round submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov last time out at UFC 296 and has now recorded just one victory in four fights since 2020. Conversely, Joaquin Buckley’s star is on the rise after extending his current win streak to four fights, a run that has also vaulted him to No. 11 on the UFC welterweight rankings.
Buckley’s recent success has also contributed to his position as a solid-210 favourite on the UFC 307 odds. Thompson lags as a +175 underdog, while the odds of this contest going the distance are pegged at -185.
Stephen Thompson UFC 307 Odds
Consistency has eluded Stephen Thompson since coming up short in a bid to claim the UFC welterweight title in a pair of epic clashes with Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017. Wonderboy has compiled a middling 4-5 record in nine octagon appearances since, but the 41-year-old has still managed to cling to the No. 9 spot on the UFC welterweight rankings.
Sporting black belts in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, Jujutsu, and American Kickboxing, Thompson has the ability to do serious damage with his kicks, and has recorded three career KOs by kick. Wonderboy also demonstrates impressive staying power for an aging veteran, going at least three rounds in five of his past six fights, and has claimed Fight of the Night and performance of the Night bonuses three times over that stretch.
Joaquin Buckley UFC 307 Odds
A return to the UFC welterweight division has proven to be just what Joaquin Buckley needed to take his game to the next level. A loser in his final two fights as a middleweight, Buckley has responded with four straight convincing wins including TKO victories over Vicente Luque and André Fialho.
In addition to consistently out-striking opponents, Buckley has also recorded eight takedowns during his 4-0 run and has enjoyed enormous success with a ground and pound approach in his past two contests.
UFC 307 Prediction: Stephen Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley
Saturday’s clash may finally spark Thompson’s fall out of the top ten on the UFC welterweight rankings. While Wonderboy still enjoys the ability to strike from distance and brings plenty of experience into the octagon, his skills look to be waning. It will be imperative for Thompson to avoid level changes against Buckley, lest he suffer a similar fate when he was taken down seven times in a lopsided 2021 loss to Belal Muhammad. But what is more likely is a second straight submission defeat.
Prediction: Joaquin Buckley by submission (+2000)