Featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski aims to even the score with lightweight champ Islam Makhachev on Saturday and we've got our Makhachev vs. Volkanovski predictions for UFC 294 based on the odds from our best sportsbooks.
Volkanovski caught the short end of a unanimous decision when he first challenged Makhachev at UFC 284 in February despite a late surge. He now gets another shot on short notice after Makhachev's original opponent, Charles Oliveira, bowed out due to a nasty cut suffered in sparring. February's unanimous decision loss is Volkanovski's sole defeat in 14 UFC bouts, and he's since defended his featherweight crown with a thrashing of ex-interim champ Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July.
Makhachev has won a dozen straight since falling to Adriano Martins in 2015 and returns to Abu Dhabi a year after submitting Oliveira to earn the divisional strap at UFC 280. T he 31-year-old boasts a near-unblemished career record of 24-1, with 15 victories inside the distance.
Make sure to check out other Top Picks for UFC 294 and here is our best Makhachev vs. Volkanovski prediction for UFC 294 as part of our UFC picks (odds via the best sports betting apps; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 prediction
Call me a sucker, but I'm leaning toward an emphatic Volkanovski upset in Saturday's rematch and that's based mainly on intangibles.
Having rocked Makhachev near the end of their first clash and taken this booking on short notice when his foe was preparing for a far different dance partner, Volkanovski enters the rematch with confidence to burn, sans the pressure of defending a title.
While Makhachev's wrestling remains a problem for anyone competing even in the vici nity of 155 pounds, the onus is now on him to adjust his gameplan accordingly and more cleverly strike into his takedowns against the shorter Volkanovski, who's usually adept at getting inside.
The right-handed Volkanovski lands at more than double Makhachev's rate (6.25 significant strikes per minute to 2.35), and I expect he'll have an easier time getting past the left-handed Makhachev's lead hand if he shows him a little less respect this time around. The UFC's featherweight king also boasts an edge in conditioning, having gone the five-round distance in five of his last seven contests, while Makhachev was visibly the more sluggish fighter by the end of their February meeting.
If the challenger can get past Makhachev's lead hand, set up his low kicks, and hustle out of reach when Makhachev clinches, Volkanovski should take his man into the later rounds. As Makhachev tires and his shots become sloppy, I see Vol kanovski evening the score with a nasty salvo that will dispose of the defending champ inside the distance.
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Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 best odds
| FanDuel | DraftKings | BetMGM | BetRivers | bet365 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhachev | -280 | -278 | -250 | -250 | -250 |
| Volkanovski | +210 | +225 | +200 | +200 | +200 |
Given Makhachev's unanimous decision victory in their first meeting and the late-notice booking, the reigning lightweight champ understandably enters the rematch a comfortable favorite. BetMGM, BetRivers, and bet365 offer a second Makhachev win at -250 with a Volkanovski upset at a compelling +200.
If you're reluctant to settle on a KO/TKO win for the featherweight champ, DraftKings leads our best sports betting sites at a solid +225. While a win for Makhachev won't net much value, the prop bets on him are more interesting, as those leaning toward another decision win for the lightweight king will find the best available payout at +180 with FanDuel.
Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 fight info
- Date: Saturday. Oct. 21, 2023 (main card: 2 p.m. ET)
- TV: PPV
- Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Em irates
Makhachev-Volkanovski 2 pick made 19/10/2023 at 12:10 a.m. ET
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