This time two weeks ago, we were anticipating a completely different UFC 294 and after a few changes, we’ve got a better one in store.
UFC 294 is being held in Abu Dhabi and we’re lucky enough to get the rematch we’ve all wanted – much earlier than expected.
This event has everything fight fans could hope for, the big fight, a main event calibre co-main, with ranked fights that will shake up their respective weight divisions and plenty of incredible bouts that can take out the Fight of The Night.
Our full UFC 294 Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 Tips & Preview can be found below.
Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski
Tip: Alexander Volkanovski via KO/TKO or Points @ $3.10
Alexander Volkanovski is showing the world why he’s a champion, taking this bout with 11 days’ notice, something most fighters – especially top contenders – wouldn’t do.
By far the most dominant featherweight in the division, and some may say all time, the Australian is making the jump to Lightweight, in the hopes of becoming the 5th fighter in UFC history to become a double champ.
Volk has his sights set on joining the likes of Conor McGregor, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo and Amanda Nunes as double champs.
Coming back from his dominating performance on International Fight Week, the featherweight champion announced to the Las Vegas crowd that he’d require surgery on his arm and wasn’t sure if he’d fight again in 2023.
Fast forward to 11 days before UFC 294 and the champion has not disappointed.
In an Interview with Yahoo Sports, UFC President Dana White praised the featherweight champ before his UFC 290 bout and said “Volkanovski is one of those guys who, when he says anyone, anywhere, any time, he means it.”
With Charles Oliveira pulling out of the bout due to a training injury, The Great has taken the call and I believe – with the limited time he’s had – the underdog can get the job done and become double champ.
Volkanovski has a record of 13-1 in the UFC with six wins coming by way of knockout and the rest going to the judges’ scorecards for a decision.
His only loss in the UFC was a controversial decision in Perth against Islam Makhachev.
For that reason, I will be taking Volkanovski to win this bout by either KO/TKO or points.
Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev
Tip: Kamaru Usman via KO/TKO or Points @ $3.60
A late change to the Co-Main event has made a bout only matchmakers could dream of beforehand, but Karmaru Usman has made this dream a reality, taking the challenge on 10 days notice against the undefeated superstar, Khamzat Chimaev.
The Nigerian Nightmare has made the jump to middleweight, which comes with an incentive for the former Welterweight Champion.
UFC President, Dana White has confirmed that the winner of this bout, will be the number 1 contender for the newly crowned Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland.
Usman is no stranger to big fights, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns and the Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards – just to name a few.
This will be the first three round bout for Usman since January of 2018 which shows that he loves the big fights.
Which leaves the question, is 10 days of fight camp enough for the Nigerian Nightmare to get the job done?
Don’t count him out too early, but there needs to be several things to go his way for this to happen.
Chimaev will likely jump out of the gate with aggression, but a marathon is not a sprint, we’ve seen him waste his energy in the early rounds and get tired in the later stages of the fight against Gilbert Burns.
If Usman drops a round early to conserve his energy and comes out swinging in rounds 2 and 3, I don’t see why he can’t get the job done and break the undefeated streak of Khamzat Chimaev.
I see great value in The Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman to win this bout via KO/TKO or Decision.
Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
Tip: Ankalaev finish insides round 1 or 2 @ TBC
This Light Heavyweight bout will see the victor elevate his stock for a shot at the vacant Light Heavyweight title.
The 2nd ranked Light Heavyweight contender in the world, Magomed Ankalaev, is looking to receive another shot at the vacant title after his first opportunity ended in a controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz back in December of last year.
The 31-year-old Russian has outclassed some of top contenders in the Light Heavyweight division, and he sets his sight on the energetic Johnny Walker.
This bout is a coin flip in my eyes, not because they’re both dangerous athletes, It’s due to each other’s history in the octagon.
In Johnny Walker’s 21 wins, he’s had 16 fights won by way of knockout with 80% finishing in the first round.
On the other side of the cage, out of Ankalaev’s 18 wins, the Russian has 10 wins coming by way of knockout and a 33% finish rate inside the first round.
I see great value in Magomed Ankalaev to finish Johnny Walker insides Round 1 or 2.
