UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Odds

Islam Makhachev is favored against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 on Saturday, January 18 in Inglewood, California. This event is one of five fights on the main pay-per-view card. Makhachev is 26-1 in his career, including 15-1 in the UFC, while Tsarukyan is 22-3 in his career, including 9-2 in the UFC. There are a total of 14 fights, with five on Pay-Per-View, four on ESPNews/Disney+/ESPN+ and five on Disney+/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass at UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2. Let’s look at the bout between Makhachev and Tsarukyan and UFC predictions.

UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 takes place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on Saturday, January 18 with 14 fights, with five on Pay-Per-View, four on ESPNews/Disney+/ESPN+ and five on Disney+/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Betting

Islam Makhachev (26-1, 15-1 UFC)

Makhachev came into the UFC with a record of 11-0 and he has 15 wins and one loss in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has six wins and no losses. He defeated Dan Hooker by kimura submission, Bobby Green by TKO, Charles Oliveira by arm-triangle choke submission, Alexander Volkanovski twice with one by unanimous decision and one by KO, and Dustin Poirier by brabo choke submission. 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 five wins by TKO/KO and 12 by submission. He has 10 first round finishes.

Makhachev said this to mmafighting.com about his upcoming fight against Tsarukyan, “When I fought with him first time, honestly, maybe I underestimated him. They were looking for an opponent. One month before they call me, we’ll sign this guy, he has good record, and he’ll be your next opponent. In my mind, I thought, ‘Who is going to come from [outside] the UFC and give me some problems?’ I didn’t watch his fighting. He came and we had a very good fight. I won all three rounds, but right now, he’s improved a lot. He has more experience in UFC, a lot fights in UFC, but if you ask me, I’m [honest]. I see his style, I see his skills. I don’t see something that makes me surprised. He has good wrestling, I have same, and I have better than him. He has striking, I have better than him. He has grappling; I know my grappling is better. But this time, it’s not going to be easy match, for sure. He’s No. 1 right now. He’s a guy who makes me work hard because he’s a real contender.”

Arman Tsarukyan (22-3, 9-2 UFC)

Tsarukyan came into the UFC with a record of 13-1 and he has nine wins and two losses in the UFC. He defeated Olivier Aubin-Mercier by unanimous decision, Davi Ramos by unanimous decision, Matt Frevola by unanimous decision, Christos Giagos by TKO, Joel Álvarez by TKO, Damir Ismagulov by unanimous decision, Joaquim Silva by TKO, Beneil Dariush by KO, and Charles Oliveira by split decision; while losing to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision and Mateusz Gamrot by unanimous decision. Tsarukyan has been a pro since 2015 and he has nine wins by TKO/KO and five by submission. He has nine first round finishes.

Striking Stats

Strikes landed per minute: Makhachev 2.65 /Tsarukyan 3.79

Striking Accuracy: Makhachev 59% /Tsarukyan 48%

Strikes absorbed per minute: Makhachev 1.54/Tsarukyan 1.84

Defense: Makhachev 61% /Tsarukyan 53%

Grappling Stats

Takedown average: Makhachev 3.19/Tsarukyan 3.25

Takedown Accuracy: Makhachev 53%/Tsarukyan 37%

Takedowns defended: Makhachev 90%/Tsarukyan 75%

Submission average: Makhachev 1.1/Tsarukyan 0.0

UFC Picks

This co-main event looks a lot like the main event with two very tough fighters with one of them listed as a big favorite. Makhachev is simply a beast and although I have respect for Tsarukyan, what Makhachev said is correct, as he is simply better in all phases than Tsarukyan. It is not a huge edge, but there is no question Makhachev is the better fighter and he should win this bout. That being said, I want no part of laying 4-1 in UFC betting odds. The rounds option is listed at 4.5 and the over is -180. I know these two went the distance the first time but that was just a three-round fight. This time it is five rounds and while they still may end up going to a decision, both of these fighters can finish and I think there is value in taking the fight to go under 4.5 rounds at +143.

UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan Card & Odds

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