UFC Fight Night Buckley vs Ruziboev Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Sounds of Thunder

Joaquin Buckley vs. Nursulton Ruziboev serves as the co-main event for tonight’s UFC Fight Night, and one of our premier events for UFC betting. 

Buckley believes his time has come for a step up in class, and he’s in a position to earn his shot against the dangerous and highly regarded Ruziboev.

UFC odds have Buckley a slight -145 favorite, with Ruziboev coming back at +115. Here are my best free UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs. Ruziboev predictions from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

Buckley vs Ruziboev prediction and pick

• My fight prediction
  Buckley moneyline (-145 at BET99)
  
  
• My best bet
  Fight does not go the distance (-290 at BET99)

Fight analysis

After three impressive wins since moving down to welterweight, Joaquin Buckley is finally stepping into the spotlight in the co-main event, although his opponent poses a formidable challenge. This will be the fight that separates Buckley from the middle of the pack with a win, or likely grounds him there with a loss.

Nursulton Ruziboev has garnered significant hype, particularly after showcasing his destructive prowess in his two UFC fights. However, Buckley represents the toughest test of his career and is performing at his peak. Buckley's athleticism and striking have delivered three consecutive knockout victories since his return to welterweight. 

Despite Ruziboev's imposing size and power, Buckley is in peak form and possesses considerable momentum. While Ruziboev boasts solid striking defense and grappling skills, Buckley will need to employ creative tactics to overcome his opponent's physical advantages. However, he must also remain cautious, as Ruziboev's ability to take him down could result in a stoppage on the mat. 

Ruziboev telegraphing his punches and looking winded after three minutes against Sedriques Dumas in his last fight wasn’t exactly encouraging considering he’s dropping even lower in weight. While Ruziboev possesses the potential to stop Buckley with a well-placed strike, his effectiveness may be limited to the first round, especially if Buckley employs strategic leg kicks and lateral movement to target his opponent's gas tank. 

While Ruziboev might have been favored if the fight were at middleweight, the weight cut to welterweight slightly tips the scales in Buckley's favor. It is a tough one to pick, but I’m willing to bet that Buckley is for real, and he will be able to announce his arrival with a win over a tough opponent.

Best best analysis

Buckley and Ruziboev are both coming off knockout wins, indicating their shared preference for ending fights early. Ruziboev appears to rely more on powerful single strikes, while Buckley deploys a strategy of darting in and out to create opportunities for his own heavy shots. 

The first round will be crucial, as Ruziboev might exhaust himself pursuing knockouts or Buckley could fall victim to a well-timed punch. Both fighters will undoubtedly pursue a finish if they sense an opportunity, and if Buckley manages to push Ruziboev into the second round, he’ll be in uncharted territory. 

Depending on Ruziboev's approach and conditioning in the opening round, he may find himself fatigued or close to it by the second. He might resort to his grappling skills, utilizing his long reach and stiff strikes to control Buckley's movement and conserve energy. Meanwhile, Buckley will likely maintain pressure and look for openings to finish the fight once he senses that Ruziboev's stamina is compromised. 

While predicting a winner is challenging, the fight will likely end by stoppage rather than going the distance. The best bet for the Buckley vs. Ruziboev matchup is that it doesn't reach the final bell.

Buckley vs Ruziboev odds

Method of Victory	Buckley	Ruziboev
To win outright	-125	+105
To win by KO/TKO	+140	+365
To win by points	+475	+475
To win by submission	+2,700	+450
Draw	+2,500	+2,500

Odds as of 5-11-24.

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Buckley vs Ruziboev tale of the tape

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