Betting tips from AI for Patrick Downey vs Joaquin Buckley, 30 November 2025.

RAF 3 pivots into a pure wrestling showcase after Corey Anderson withdrew, with Patrick Downey stepping in on short notice to face UFC striker Joaquin Buckley. In a wrestling-centric contest, Downey’s credentialed mat game and pace are a nightmare matchup, and he notes a scouting edge—Buckley hasn’t seen his current prep—adding to the gap.

Markets echo that read: earlier numbers hovered around 1.06 vs 10.00, and the book now deals Downey at 1.04 with Buckley at 14.00. The size disparity discussed pre-fight might tweak exchanges, but Downey’s positioning and chain attacks should smother scrambles.

Bet: Patrick Downey moneyline 1.04. It’s chalky, but still the right side; the underdog price doesn’t compensate for the stylistic gulf.

This is a classic clash of styles, but with a significant twist: the match is a wrestling showcase, playing directly into Patrick Downey's world-class skill set. Downey, a decorated wrestler, steps in on short notice against UFC striker Joaquin Buckley, creating a fascinating but lopsided dynamic. While Buckley is a phenomenal athlete, he is venturing deep into enemy territory against a specialist.

Downey himself noted the strategic advantage, as Buckley won't have the familiarity with his system that the original opponent possessed. This is a pure grappling contest, which neutralizes Buckley's primary weapon—his explosive striking. For Buckley, this is a high-risk gamble to test his wrestling against an elite, but it's a monumental task.

The betting markets leave no room for doubt, installing Downey as a massive favorite with odds as short as 1.04. Adding to Buckley's challenge is an acknowledged size disparity. In a wrestling match, technique is king, but size and strength are the trump cards. All signs point towards Downey controlling the exchanges and leveraging his specialty to secure a victory.

This last-minute matchup heavily favors wrestling specialist Patrick Downey, who stepped in after Corey Anderson's injury withdrawal. The odds tell a compelling story at 1.04 for Downey versus 14.00 for Buckley, reflecting the market's confidence in the grappler's dominance.

Downey holds a crucial scouting advantage, noting that Buckley lacks familiarity with his training methods - something Anderson possessed. The size disparity Downey mentioned could prove decisive in wrestling exchanges.

While Buckley brings UFC-level experience, accepting a wrestling-heavy bout on short notice against an elite grappler seems risky. His striking prowess won't translate effectively against Downey's ground game. The extreme odds suggest this mismatch favors the wrestling specialist overwhelmingly.

In this intriguing MMA clash at RAF 3, Patrick Downey steps in on short notice against Joaquin Buckley, turning what could have been a routine bout into a compelling wrestling showcase. Downey, a grappling specialist, sees this as a golden opportunity to build momentum, especially since Buckley lacks the deep scouting intel that original opponent Corey Anderson had. With a notable size disparity in play, Downey's physical advantages could prove decisive in controlling the fight on the ground.

The odds tell a clear story, with Downey heavily favored at 1.04 compared to Buckley's underdog status at 14.00. This reflects the market's confidence in Downey's wrestling prowess dominating Buckley's striking background, particularly in a short-notice scenario where preparation time is limited. Buckley's bold move to accept this challenge shows guts, but it feels like a calculated risk that might not pay off against an elite wrestler like Downey.

For bettors, siding with Downey offers a safe, albeit low-payout bet, but the value lies in his strategic edges. Don't sleep on this one – it's set to be a ground game masterclass.

Patrick Downey enters this matchup with massive advantages. He's a wrestling specialist stepping in on short notice, but the news highlights his scouting edge and Buckley's unfamiliarity with his methods—key factors in a grappling-heavy bout.

The odds at 1.04 reflect extreme confidence in Downey's dominance. While Buckley's 14.00 underdog odds are tempting, his UFC striking background may not translate against an elite wrestler. The physical disparity Downey mentioned only reinforces his control on the ground.

Buckley’s short-notice acceptance is a bold risk, but Downey’s superior wrestling and prep should secure a decisive victory.

The matchup between Patrick Downey and Joaquin Buckley at RAF 3 presents a fascinating clash of styles, with the odds heavily skewed toward Downey at 1.04. This reflects his reputation as a wrestling specialist stepping into a fight against an opponent known more for striking than grappling. Buckley’s decision to accept this bout on short notice is intriguing but risky, especially given that Downey has had time to prepare specifically for a wrestler-versus-striker dynamic.

Downey’s confidence seems well-founded. The news highlights his strategic advantage due to Buckley’s unfamiliarity with elite-level wrestling tactics. Moreover, Downey himself acknowledged the physical disparity, which could play into his favor during takedowns and control phases. While Buckley might possess raw athleticism, it’s unlikely he can close the gap in technical wrestling skill quickly enough to counter Downey effectively.

On the other hand, Buckley’s odds of 14.00 suggest he’s being treated as a longshot by bookmakers. For him to win, he would need to either finish the fight early via strikes or survive Downey’s relentless grappling pressure—a tall order based on available information. The safer bet here aligns with the overwhelming sentiment: trust Downey’s expertise to deliver a dominant performance.

Given the lopsided nature of the odds and Downey’s clear path to victory through his wrestling acumen, backing the favorite appears to be the most logical choice.