The 2025 UFL Championship will be held in St. Louis, MO on Saturday night as the Defenders take on the Panthers at 8:00 p.m. ET. Will Michigan cover as a slight favorite or is there a better bet on the board?
2025 UFL Championship Preview
DC Defenders vs. Michigan Panthers
Saturday, June 14 | 8 PM ET | The Dome at America’s Center (St. Louis, MO)
ABC
The Road to St. Louis
Two different paths have led the Michigan Panthers and DC Defenders to the UFL’s biggest stage — but both arrive with momentum and star power.
The Michigan Panthers, led by quarterback Bryce Perkins, avenged their postseason demons with a resounding 44-29 win over the Birmingham Stallions, fueled by a relentless ground attack and explosive quarterback play. Perkins has redefined the Panthers’ identity — bringing flair, mobility, and control — while RB Toa Taua adds bruising, after-contact excellence.
The DC Defenders, meanwhile, took the hard route. After a midseason slump, they rebounded in dominant fashion to thrash St. Louis 36-18 in the Conference Championship. Jordan Ta’amu played poised and calculated football, while Deon Jackson reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s best backs with 110 yards and two scores.
2025 UFL Championship Betting Odds
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook Bovada.lv, the Panthers are 3.5-point favorites to knock off the Defenders in St. Louis tonight. The total, meanwhile, sits at 50.5 points.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Bryce Perkins vs. DC’s Front Seven
DC’s defense struggled mightily to contain Perkins in Week 6 — giving up 213 rushing yards to Michigan’s backfield and QB. The RPO game shredded DC’s discipline, and if they haven’t figured out a plan to slow Perkins down, the result may look familiar.
2. Deon Jackson vs. Michigan’s Run Defense
The Panthers boast the league’s top rushing defense, but they’ve shown cracks, especially when down key defenders like DE Kenny Willekes. If Jackson can stay hot and pick up early first downs, it’ll open the field for Ta’amu to attack vertically.
3. Turner & Hikutini vs. DC Secondary
WR Malik Turner and TE Cole Hikutini have emerged as consistent options in Perkins’ passing game. DC’s DBs — including Deandre Baker and Michael Ojemudia — must limit YAC and avoid mental errors against Michigan’s motion-heavy offense.
4. Discipline and Penalties
Michigan was the more composed team in their previous meetings. DC has to clean up the mental mistakes — their Week 6 loss was littered with penalties that gave the Panthers extra life.
2025 UFL Championship Coaching Battle
This matchup features the last two UFL Coaches of the Year — Shannon Harris (2025) and Mike Nolan (2024). Harris turned DC into a resilient, high-octane team with tremendous culture, while Nolan finally got over the Birmingham hump. Expect a chess match, particularly in the second half.
X-Factor: Bryce Perkins
He’s not just the best dual-threat QB in the league — he’s the most unpredictable. His ability to extend plays, escape sacks, and deliver in high-pressure moments makes him nearly impossible to plan for. If DC doesn’t find answers early, the game could snowball again.
2025 UFL Championship Final Prediction
This is shaping up to be the high-scoring, star-driven Championship that fans wanted last year.
The Defenders are dangerous and well-coached, but Michigan has already proven they can dominate this matchup — and they’ve only improved since. With a fully unlocked Bryce Perkins, a hammer in Toa Taua, and a maturing defense, the Panthers are peaking at the perfect time.
2025 UFL Championship Prediction: MICHIGAN PANTHERS -3.5