UFC 294 Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 Betting Analysis

Islam Makhachev puts his title strap on the line in UFC 294’s main event on Saturday versus Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch. The latest Ultimate Fighting Championships promotion happens at the Etihad Arena in Abud Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Before Volkanovski and Makhachev throw down, Kamaru Usman attempts to get back on the winning track when the takes on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

Check out UFC betting odds, analysis, and a free pick for Makhachev versus Volkanovski and Usman versus Chimaev plus other bouts on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card.

UFC 294 Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 Betting Analysis for the Main Card Bouts | MyBookie MMA Betting Preview

UFC 294 Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2
Saturday, October 21 at 2:00 pm ET | PPV
Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Said Nurmegomedov vs Muin Gafurov

UFC Odds: Said Nurmegomedov -225; Muin Gafurov +185
Lightweight Bout
Nurmegomedov records: 17-3-0 | 4 KOs
Gafurov records: 18-5-0 | 10 KOs

The underdog in this has a decent 18-5 record. Not only that, but Gafurov is 10-0 via knockout and technical knockout and 7-0 via submissions.

Said Nurmegomedov shows 4 wins and a loss in his last 5. For sure, Nurmegomedov should be the chalk in this, but the last bout is the one Said lost. It came via unanimous decision. The loss could be a sign Nurmagomedov’s form has turned south.

Gafurov can win this. The underdog had won 2 straight before a unanimous decision loss to John Castaneda in his last. Give Gafurov a shot to pull off the upset.

UFC Fight Night Pick: Muin Gafurov | Bet Said Nurmegomedov vs Muin Gafurov Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout

Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves

UFC Odds: Ikram Aliskerov -600; Warlley Alves +430
Lightweight Bout
Aliskerov records: 14-1-0 | 5 KOs
Alves records: 14-6-0 | 4 KOs

The biggest favorite on the UFC 294 main card should have no trouble beating his opponent. Warlley Alves has fought just 3 times since 2019. 2 of the 3 bouts happened in 2021.

Alves has lost 3-of-5 going back to 2019. In his last, Nicolas Dalby beat Warlley Alves via unanimous decision. The good news if you want to back the dog is that the Dalby fight happened in January this year.

But Ikram Aliskerov is 14-1. Not only is Aliskerov 14-1 but he’s 5-1 via TKO or KO and is 5-0 via submission. Also, Ikram’s lone loss happened versus Khamzat Chimaev, one of the top fighters at UFC. Aliskerov wins.

UFC Fight Night Pick: Islam Aliskerov | Bet Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout

Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker

UFC Odds: Magomed Ankalaev -350; Johnny Walker +275
Lightweight Bout
Ankalaev records: 18-1-1 | 10 KOs
Walker records: 21-7-0 | 16 KOs

Johnny Walker has a couple of physical advantages. Walker’s reach is 82 inches while Ankalaev’s is 75 inches. Walker is 6’ 6” and Ankalaev is 6’ 3”.

Magomed suffered a draw in his last, though. Ah, but the draw was in a championship bout against the very good Jan Blachowicz.

Still, it’s tough not to give the underdog a shot to pull off the upset win. Walker is on a 3-match winning streak. 2 of the wins came against top competitors Ion Cutelaba and Paul Craig. Rolling the dice on Johnny W. makes sense.

UFC Fight Night Pick: Johnny Walker | Bet Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout

Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev

UFC Odds: Kamaru Usman +275; Khamzat Chimaev -350
Lightweight Bout
Usman records: 20-3-0 | 9 KOs
Chimaev records: 12-0-0 | 6 KOs

Kamaru Usman seemed unbeatable until his last 2 bouts. Both losses came against champion Lerone Edwards. Now 36, Usman takes on the man many believe is the future champ.

Khamzat Chimaev is 12-0. He wins via knockout and he wins via submission. Chimaev is already one of the best fighters at UFC. He’s also got 7 years on Usman. So although Kamaru can win this, he’ll have to get super lucky to do so. Chimaev pushes his record to 13-0 and then asks Dana White for a title fight against Edwards.

UFC Fight Night Pick: Khamzat Chimaev | Bet Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski

UFC Odds: Islam Makhachev -270; Alexander Volkanovski +220
UFC Lightweight Title
Makhachev records: 24-1-0 | 4 KOs
Volkanovski records: 26-2-0 | 13 KOs

Alexander Volkanovski had more strikes than Islam Makhachev in the first bout. But Makhachev scored 4 takedowns from 9 attempts.

The takedowns impressed the judges more than Volkanovski’s strikes. The main reason is because Alexander didn’t hurt Islam. There’s isn’t much the underdog can do to change the outcome. He’s shorter in height and has a shorter reach than Makhachev. The champ prevails.

UFC Fight Night Pick: Islam Makhachev | Bet Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout

UFC 294 Fight Card Schedule | MMA

Main Card (ESPN+)
Lightweight	Islam Makhachev (c)	vs.	Alexander Volkanovski
Middleweight	Kamaru Usman	vs.	Khamzat Chimaev
Light Heavyweight	Magomed Ankalaev	vs.	Johnny Walker
Middleweight	Ikram Aliskerov	vs.	Warlley Alves
Bantamweight	Said Nurmagomedov	vs.	Muin Gafurov
Preliminary card (ESPN+)
Flyweight	Tim Elliott	vs.	Muhammad Mokaev
Lightweight	Mohammad Yahya	vs.	Trevor Peek
Bantamweight	Javid Basharat	vs.	Victor Henry
Middleweight	Abu Azaitar	vs.	Sedriques Dumas
Catchweight (159.5 lb)	Mike Breeden	vs.	Anshul Jubli
Featherweight	Nathaniel Wood	vs.	Muhammad Naimov
Catchweight (116.6 lb)	Victoria Dudakova	vs.	Jinh Yu Frey
Middleweight	Sharabutdin Magomedov	vs.	Bruno Silva

Bet UFC 294 Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2