UFC 294 has a brand-new main event AND semi-main event. If you need help betting on the updated card, then you’ll want to read this. We’re dishing out three UFC 294 picks right here, and we’re confident these will pay out!
- What: UFC 294
- When: Saturday, October 21
- Where: Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Betting Pick
We knew UFC 294 was going to feature a rematch, just not this rematch. Charles Oliveira was forced out when he required stitches after a sparring session. On just 11 days' notice, Volkanovski accepted this fight against the lightweight champion, Makhachev. No one should be surprised that Makhachev is a comfortable favorite to beat Volkanovski a second time though. Here are the current odds available at the best UFC betting sites:
| Fighter |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev | -225 | -225 | -225 |
| Alexander Volkanovski | +185 | +185 | +185 |
For what it’s worth, Volkanovski has increased his chances of winning compared to the first eight earlier this year. Back then, the featherweight champion was as long as +300 on the moneyline. Not this time, not after pushing Makhachev to the limit in the first meeting. Makhachev won by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46), but some argued Volkanovski did enough to win that first fight.
We’d stopped short of saying Volkanovski won, but he sure overperformed. Instead of being wrestled to the ground by the much bigger opponent — as everyone expected — Volkanovski continually got up anytime he was grounded. On the feet, Volkanovski dished the punishment right back to Makhachev too. These two truly are the best pound-for-pounders the sport has to offer so we’d expect another five-round war in this one.
At the same time, we’re betting on the same result and that’s a Makhachev decision. We’d argue Volkanovski is at a bigger disadvantage in this rematch than the first one despite what the odds reflect. He wasn’t even in camp and now he’s expected to hang with Makhachev on 11 days notice? And while having to move up in weight? And coming off hand surgery over the summer? We love Volkanovski’s heart, but he’s biting off more than he can chew at UFC 294.
Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev Betting Pick
The originally slated bout between Chimaev and Paulo Costa was called off due to Costa needing elbow surgery. Steeping in for Costa is Usman, arguably a more fun fight to watch and bet on. Have a look-see at the current Chimaev-Usman odds below:
| Fighter | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | -255 | -255 | -255 |
| Kamaru Usman | +205 | +205 | +205 |
A year ago, it felt like these two were destined for a welterweight title fight. Usman was the most dominant champion the division had seen since George St. Pierre and Chimaev was on an undefeated streak. Then Usman lost to Leon Edwards (twice) and Chimaev failed to make weight against Nate Diaz. So now we get the matchup — but no belt on the line and not at welterweight. This one is being contested at middleweight, which is new territory for each man.
This is a real narrative test for each fighter. For Chimaev, his quality of opponents has long been criticized despite the undefeated mark but there’s no disputing Usman’s resume. Then again, many are starting to write off Usman as well. He’s 36 years old now and looked noticeably off in his last fight versus Edwards this year. One of these men will disprove the narrative going against them.
To us, that will clearly be Chimaev. Look, both fighters are quite similar in that they're wrestlers at heart, but with pretty damn good striking too. The difference is that Chimaev is in prime condition, while Usman is not (though he’s not washed either). Taking Chimaev on the moneyline makes a ton of sense here. For bettors wanting a higher-paying bet, then a prop on Chimaev winning by stoppage is worth a look too.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Betting Pick
Enough with moneyline bets, let’s try a Ankalaev-Walker over/under wager instead here. Well, bookmakers haven’t quite released the line yet, but that won’t deter us from making a pick once it does become available.
| Outcome | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over TBD rounds | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Under TBD rounds | TBD | TBD | TBD |
We suspect the usual 1.5 over/under. If so, we’re squarely taking the under. We see ways where both fighters end this early. For Walker, that’s 100 percent his strategy here. He’s one of the better KO artists in the UFC — 16 of 22 career wins have come this way — and we fully expect Walker to go head-hunting.
Now Ankalaev is -335 on the moneyline. We’d expect him to pull out a win as he’s 18-1-1 over his career. But he’s quite an underrated finisher too. Ten times Ankalaev has KO’d his opponent despite his wrestling being so effective. All this is to say the under bet makes a whole lot of sense to take.
How To Bet On UFC 294?
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