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The UFC Atlanta Main Card is finally here and we're back with another betting prediction and pick for the opening bout in the Light Heavyweight (205) Division. No. 15 Alonzo Menifield of Texas will take on France's own Oumar Sy in a fight that's sure to bring the energy for the rest of the card. Check the UFC odds series for our Menifield-Sy prediction and pick.
Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1) comes into this bout with a 9-5-1 record in the UFC since 2019. Following back-to-back losses in 2024, he bounced back with a “Fight of the Night” win over Julius Walker most recently. After Sy withdrew from their first scheduled meeting, Menifield will hope to shock the crowd as a huge betting underdog. He stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach.
Oumar Sy (11-0) remains undefeated with a 2-0 start to his UFC tenure. The former KSW 3-0 prospect impressed with wins over Tuco Tokkos and Da Woon Jung in his first two fights. As the newest undefeated prospect looking to make a name in the UFC, he'll look to bring the fireworks once again and remain undefeated. Sy stands 6-foot-4 with an 83-inch reach.
Here are the UFC Atlanta Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Atlanta Odds: Alonzo Menifield-Oumar Sy Odds
Alonzo Menifield: +500
Oumar Sy: -700
Over 1.5 rounds: -160
Under 1.5 rounds: +124
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Why Alonzo Menifield Will Win
- Last Fight: (W) Julius Walker – S DEC
- Last 5: 3-2
- Finishes: 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB
Alonzo Menifield comes into this fight following an absolute war against Julius Walker during his most recent bout. The effort earned him a “Fight of the Night” bonus and it was promising to see Menifield make the proper adjustments to fit his opponent's aggression during that one. He continues to evolve as a fighter with each passing bout and it has been his fight-IQ that's made the biggest improvements since his debut.
While Menifield's power comes at no surprise due to his massive size, he does a great job of remaining on his feet with a 78% takedown defense rate. This is thanks to his strong base and ability to control opponents along the fence and in the clinch. He should look to be a bit more active with his elbows and knees when holding opponents in that position.
Menifield will have to work at a reach disadvantage during this fight and it might hinder him given the nature of his shorter, tighter strikes. We've seen him extend himself in the past to land big shots, but defense will have to be at the forefront against a long opponent like Sy.
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Why Oumar Sy Will Win
- Last Fight: (W) Da Woon Jung – U DEC
- Last 5: 5-0
- Finishes: 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB
Oumar Sy will see his toughest UFC test to-date in facing his first ranked opponent Alonzo Menifield. Sy is supremely confident in his abilities and much of that comes from his flawless record. He hasn't faced much resistance up to the point, but it's bound to come sooner rather than later with how fast he's climbing the rankings. However, he's always been a UFC-level talent and this will be his first real chance to prove himself.
Sy is an athletic freak, fighting with a four-inch advantage in height and an even more significant seven inches in reach. With how long his arms are and how tall he is, he's often able to catch opponents with counter-strikes when trying to reach for his chin. He's one of the rare fighters that is just as dangerous going backwards as he is forward, so expect him to use those tactics against the shorter Menifield.
Sy will still need to keep his composure and not underestimate his opponent in this one. Menifield is a tested UFC vet and will offer the most resistance Sy has seen up to this point.
Final Alonzo Menifield-Oumar Sy Prediction & Pick
Oumar Sy will have a chance to jump into the rankings with his third UFC win and he should feel confident given his massive -700 betting line. Make no mistake, Alonzo Menifield is an athletic anomaly in his own right and has been constantly improving his skills with each passing fight. If he's underestimated at any point, it'll only help him explode into a combination and catch Sy enough times to ring his bell a bit.
However, Sy just has too many physical advantages going for him and is truly lethal as a striker. No only is he landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, but he's only absorbing 1.71 while displaying impeccable defensive prowess.
For our final prediction, we'll have to roll with Oumar Sy to get the win as the favorite. However, Menifield won't go down without a fight in protecting his ranking, so we'll side with the over as well.
Final Alonzo Menifield-Oumar Sy Prediction & Pick: Oumar Sy (-700); OVER 1.5 Rounds (-160)
