The D.C. Defenders and the Michigan Panthers will meet in the second-ever UFL Championship Game this Saturday at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The game will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on Fubo or ESPN+.
This game will mark the first time Birmingham has not made it to or won the USFL or UFL Championship Game. Michigan proved that their time was now by spoiling Birmingham’s attempt at a four-peat, winning the game 44-29 on the road.
The Panthers were rated as low as +650 in the preseason futures at UFL betting sites this year, and if this weekend’s game line is accurate, some savvy gamblers could be in for a massive payday.
If the Panthers win, it would be their second championship in franchise history, as they were the inaugural champion of the USFL during their debut season in 1983.
UFL Championship Game Betting Line
DC Defenders vs. Michigan Panthers
- Point Spread: DC +3.0 (-105), Michigan -3.0 (-115)
- Moneyline: DC +140, Michigan -165
- Over: 50.0 (-115)
- Under: 50.0 (-105)
The win avenges Michigan’s loss in the USFL Conference Championship Game to Birmingham last season, where the Stallions eliminated the Panthers after a strong 7-3 campaign.
The Panthers went 6-4 this year, good enough for second in the USFL rankings. They managed to overcome the Stallions despite losing both of their regular-season matchups in 2025.
Michigan’s quarterback, Bryce Perkins, was named this season’s UFL Offensive Player of the Year. In nine games, Perkins completed 109 out of 158 passes for 1,342 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran for 301 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The Defenders also finished at 6-4, two games better than their 4-6 mark in 2024. The St. Louis Battlehawks were one win away from playing a home game for the championship, but the Defenders ousted them by a final score of 36-18.
Two games of interest during their 2025 campaign include an embarrassing loss to the one-win San Antonio Brahmas and a blowout loss to the Panthers in Week 6 by a score of 38-14.
Is the point spread for the UFL Championship Game set too low? Perhaps, as all signs point to a convincing victory by the Panthers. We like Michigan to cover the three points against DC.
Currently, BookMaker EU has the lowest margin posted for the game at -2.5.
Sources:
- Bovada Sportsbook (Review)
- BookMaker EU Sportsbook (Review)
- Detroit Free Press
- Michigan Live
