Islam Makhachev is favored against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 on Saturday, October 21 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This event is one of five fights on the main pay-per-view card. Makhachev is 24-1 in his career, while Volkanovski is 26-2 in his career. There are a total of 13 fights with five on Pay-Per-View, and eight on ESPN+ at UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2. Let’s look at the bout between Makhachev and Volkanovski and UFC predictions.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, October 21 with 13 fights with five on Pay-Per-View and eight on ESPN+.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski Betting
Islam Makhachev (24-1, 13-1 UFC)
Makhachev came into the UFC with a record 11-0 and he has 13 wins and one loss in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has six wins and no losses. He defeated Drew Dober by arm-triangle choke submission, Thiago Moisés by rear-naked choke submission, Dan Hooker by kimura submission, Bobby Green by TKO, Charles Oliveira by arm-triangle chokes submission, and Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision. Makhachev’s only loss in his career was against Adriano Martins by KO in October of 2015. Makhachev has been a pro since 2010 and he has four wins by TKO/KO and 11 by submission. He has nine first round finishes.
Alexander Volkanovski (26-2, 13-1 UFC)
Volkanovski came into the UFC with a record of 13-1 and he has 13 wins and one loss in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has five wins and one loss. He defeated Max Holloway by split decision, Brian Ortega by unanimous decision, Jung Chan-sung by TKO, Max Holloway by unanimous decision, and Yair Rodríguez by TKO; while losing to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision in February. Volkanovski has been a pro since 2012 and he has 13 wins by TKO/KO and three by submission. He has seven first round finishes.
Volkanovski said this to mmafighting.com about his upcoming fight against Makhachev, “It’s going to be an exciting one. Obviously, I want to go out there and hurt him. We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds. I want to finish it early. I don’t want to test his gas tank. Don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it, but let’s not try and test it. Let’s just finish it nice and early. With how excited I am, how refreshed I am — both mentally and physically — I’m going to be a dangerous man in there. I plan on knocking him out.”
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Makhachev 2.35 / Volkanovski 6.25
Striking Accuracy: Makhachev 59% / Volkanovski 56%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Makhachev 1.27 / Volkanovski 3.36
Defense: Makhachev 61% / Volkanovski 58%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Makhachev 3.24 / Volkanovski 1.86
Takedown Accuracy: Makhachev 62% / Volkanovski 37%
Takedowns defended: Makhachev 90% / Volkanovski 69%
Submission average: Makhachev 1.1/ Volkanovski 0.2
UFC Picks
Makhachev is listed as over a 2-1 favorite to win this fight. He won their first meeting in February by unanimous decision. The question I would ask is what has changed for Volkanovski since then? He is taking this fight on very short notice and kudos to him for doing that, but he couldn’t handle Makhachev before, why can he handle him now? Makhachev pretty much said that exact thing on Instagram. “Respect for taking this fight on short notice Alex, but don’t use it as an excuse after the fight,” Makhachev said. If you look at the first fight, Volkanovski outstruck Makhachev 164-95 in total strikes, 70-57 in significant strikes and he had the only knockdown of the fight. The problem for Volkanovski was on the ground, where he was soundly beaten.
One thing I am not doing is laying nearly 3-1 on Makhachev in a fight that looks very even. I know these two went to a decision the last time, but with the lack of prep time for Volkanovski and with Makhachev having to prepare on short notice for a new opponent, I don’t know that the fight goes the distance this time around. I’ll lay the small price and take the fight to be decided by a finish.
| DATE |
FIGHTERS |
MONEY LINE |
| 10/21 |
Alexander Volkanovski |
+207 |
| Islam Makhachev |
-270 |
| 10/21 |
Tim Elliott |
+362 |
| Muhammad Mokaev |
-520 |
| 10/21 |
Muin Gafurov |
+186 |
| Said Nurmagomedov |
-240 |
| 10/21 |
Jinh Yu Frey |
+387 |
| Viktoriya Dudakova |
-565 |
| 10/21 |
Trevor Peek |
-148 |
| Mohammad Yahya |
+118 |
| 10/21 |
Mike Breeden |
+301 |
| Anshul Jubli |
-415 |
| 10/21 |
Victor Henry |
+379 |
| Javid Basharat |
-550 |
| 10/21 |
Bruno Silva |
+194 |
| Shara Magomedov |
-250 |
| 10/21 |
Muhammad Naimov |
+248 |
| Nathaniel Wood |
-330 |
| 10/21 |
Abu Azaitar |
+179 |
| Sedriques Dumas |
-230 |
| 10/21 |
Warlley Alves |
+365 |
| Ikram Aliskerov |
-525 |
| 10/21 |
Kamaru Usman |
+214 |
| Khamzat Chimaev |
-280 |
| 10/21 |
Johnny Walker |
+251 |
| Magomed Ankalaev |
-335 |
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