For each of the past three seasons, the Birmingham Stallions have been the kings of spring football. They won two USFL Championships before winning the inaugural UFL Championship. This year, though, a new winner will be crowned.
On Saturday, June 14, the Michigan Panthers battle the D.C. Defenders for the 2025 UFL Championship. Who will win, and what is the best way to approach this game from a betting perspective?
2025 UFL Championship Preview
Last week, I focused on my most confident predictions rather than spreading my attention too thin. If I had to pick outright winners for both semifinals, I would have chosen the Birmingham Stallions and the Defenders, and I expected each contest to deliver plenty of excitement and points. Ultimately, I trusted Birmingham to advance and D.C.’s offense to win a race to 30 points.
Nevertheless, the Panthers finally overcame their long-time rival in a masterfully executed game. Credit to Michigan’s coaching staff for an exceptional game plan from start to finish.
My earlier assumption that the Panthers were limping into the playoffs overlooked the fact that they were simply giving Bryce Perkins time to rest a sprained ankle, a rest that helped him shine when it mattered most.
Jordan Ta’amu may win UFL MVP, but Perkins has been the true star of spring football this year. He lights up the field with his playmaking ability and his leadership under center.
perkins WHEELS 💨🔥
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/wgBZppXJd1
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) June 8, 2025
On the other hand, tackling across the UFL has been inconsistent all season, something new viewers should note. There were multiple instances each week where defenders missed assignments, underscoring why so many of these talented athletes are eager to prove themselves.
Skip Holtz’s decision to bench J’Mar Smith in favor of the returning Matt Corral paid dividends, as the Stallions mounted 29 points in an effort to overcome the Panthers’ relentless offensive barrage.
However, Birmingham’s defense was overwhelmed by Perkins and Michigan’s balanced attack. Allowing 44 points will doom any team, and Birmingham’s high-scoring offense simply couldn’t compensate for those defensive lapses.
In the other semifinal, D.C. delivered one of its best defensive efforts of the season, complementing an efficient offensive performance to secure a 36–18 win. The Defenders’ second-half adjustments, aggressive pass rush, and timely forced turnovers showcased why they deserve to be in this title game.
Both the St. Louis Battlehawks and the Stallions turned to their backup quarterbacks mid-game, a sign of how much was on the line. But now, we have two deserving teams ready to battle for spring football supremacy in the final game of the season.
The only negative thing about these two matchups was we expected two hotly contested contests from evenly matched teams. Instead, we got two noncompetitive blowouts. Hopefully, the final will offer more in the way of drama.
How the UFL Championship Will Be Won
In retrospect, the sportsbooks failed to adapt when UFL offenses started clicking midseason. Even last week, both semifinal games showcased explosive scoring.
From Week 5 onward, high-scoring affairs became the norm, and that trend carried into the semifinals. Now, teams have shown they can light up the scoreboard more than ever this year.
Based on what we saw a week ago, my assessment of these teams hasn’t changed much. The Defenders delivered an outstanding defensive performance in the semifinals, but no one has consistently slowed down Perkins. The Panthers dictated the pace against the Stallions last week, and Birmingham’s defense was tested.
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The Stallions’ offensive struggles put their defense in tough spots, but of the 44 points they allowed, the defense gave up all but the one pick-six. Even if we subtract two touchdowns, allowing 26 points is a poor showing for a unit with championship aspirations.
As for the Defenders, credit to them for holding the Battlehawks to 18 points. However, St. Louis has often struggled in high-pressure moments, particularly on offense.
Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht hasn’t found the right formula to prepare his team. This performance appeared more like a self-inflicted setback, which is what doomed the Battlehawks at this exact moment last year. Too often, this falls under the coach’s responsibility.
Here, the Panthers should have even more room to operate, which is why they are my choice to claim the UFL Championship. They took strides last season but couldn’t quite topple the Stallions. This year, they dominated spring football’s greatest franchise and are poised to finish with a flourish.
I’m not convinced the Defenders have an edge anywhere on the field. Ta’amu has been impressive, but Perkins has been exceptional. The Panthers have scored more points and allowed fewer than D.C. this season. These teams already met once, and Michigan controlled that contest 38–14 without much resistance.
I like the Panthers to take down the Defenders once again. As much as it would be great to see a closely contested battle, I don’t think it’s going to be that close.
Pick: Panthers
I have been watching most of U.F.L. games during the season I also hope Steelers Omar Khan can find some good talent from this league and I will be watching the U.F.L. championship