UFC 294 will take place this weekend on the 21st of October at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. There are some massive fights on the card and it promises to be an action-packed event. We will look at the main event between Makhachev and Volkanovski, as well as 2 additional main card bouts from a betting point of view.
Click here for betting on the full fight card.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV v ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI 2
Lightweight Title Fight:
Islam Makhachev is an extremely talented Russian fighter who is known for his ability to grapple on the canvas. Since entering the UFC in 2015, Makhachev has obtained a record of 13-1 and his only loss came in late 2015, leaving him on a current 12- fight win streak. His most recent fight was in February this year and it was the first time he and Volkanovski met and Makhachev won by decision, retaining his division title.
Due to the result in their last fight and the short preparation Volkanovski has had for the fight, Makhachev enters the octagon as the clear favourite.
Alexander Volkanovski is an experienced Australian fighter who is known for his clean and powerful striking. He made his debut in the UFC in 2016 and since then he has maintained a record of 13-1, with his only loss being to Makhachev. Out of his 14 fights in the UFC, 7 have been title fights and he has won 6 of them. His last fight was a title fight against Yair Rodriguez in July, where he won by TKO in round 3.
Volkanovski was a late call up into this fight card, making him the underdog as he has had very little time to prepare, Volkanovski is also better known in the featherweight division, stacking the odds further against him.
Betting – click here to bet.
Makhachev (4/10)
Volkanovski (2/1)
Prediction:
I believe that although Makhachev is the more powerful grappler and fighter, Volkanovski will be able to hang on once again and the fight will end in a Makhachev decision win for the 2nd time.
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KAMARU USMAN v KHAMZAT CHIMAEV
Middleweight bout:
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian fighter who entered the UFC in 2015, he is known for his brutal striking and since entering the UFC he has only lost 2 of his 16 fights. Both of his losses came in his 2 most recent fights, which were title fights with Leon Edwards, who Usman beat at the beginning of his UFC career. Usman has had 8 title fights in the UFC, with him winning 6.
Usman was also a late call up into this fight card and therefore also lacks effective preparation and he has been priced as the underdog for his 9th title fight.
Khamzat Chimaev, fighting out of the UAE, is well known for his freestyle fighting style, he entered the UFC in 2020 and he has won all 6 of his fights so far, with round 1 stoppages in 4 of his 6 fights. He last fought in September of last year, where he beat Kevin Holland by submission in round 1 at UFC 279.
Although Chimaev shows less experience than Usman, he has been on excellent form since going professional in MMA and he enters the octagon with unhindered preparation, making him the favourite in the betting markets.
Betting – click here to bet.
Usman (95/40)
Chimaev (7/20)
Prediction:
I believe that due to Chimaev’s preparation and the fact that he will be the larger fighter he will win by submission in Round 2.
MAGOMED ANKALAEV v JOHNNY WALKER
Light Heavyweight Fight:
Magomed Ankalaev is known for his wrestling and striking, and he entered the UFC in 2018, since then he has gone 9-1-1 in the octagon, with his only loss being via submission in his debut fight. Since then, Ankalaev has not lost a fight and his most recent fight ( a title fight) against Jan Blochowicz was called a draw. He will enter the arena as the favourite in the betting markets.
Johnny Walker is a wild fighter who is known for making his fights exciting, he is also known for his heavy hands and stopping power and he has won his last 3 fights, with his most recent bout being a decision win over Anthony Smith in May this year. Due to Walkers record not being as impressive as his opponents, he will enter as the dark horse from a betting angle.
Betting – click here to bet.
Ankalaev (2/7)
Walker (28/10)
Prediction:
I believe that both fighters have what it takes to go the distance and Ankalaev will win by decision.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Makhachev v Volkanovski
Makhachev via decision at 18/10
Usman v Chimaev
Chimaev in round 2 at 4/1
Ankalaev v Walker
Ankalaev by decision at 85/40
All prices subject to change.
