The UFC is on pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend and we have the best UFC 294 predictions. We’ve gone through each fight to uncover the MMA betting markets with the best value on Saturday.
Islam Makhachev will fight Alexander Volkanovski for the lightweight title in the main event. Before we do, check out last week’s UFC Fight Night 230 predictions.
UFC 294 Preview
When: Saturday, October 21st 2023
Where: Etihad Arena in United Arab Emirates
Time: 10:00 AM ET (Prelims) / 2:00 PM ET (Main Card)
Watch: ESPN / ESPN+
This is a stacked fight card. Kamaru Usman will fight Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event. A few of the other fighters on the main card include Magomed Ankalaev, Ikram Aliskerov and Said Nurmagomedov.
The prelims will be highlighted by a Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev fight.
With this card starting early on Saturday, the weigh-ins were done last night. Viktoriya Dudakova missed weight by 0.6 pounds and will forfeit 20% of her purse. Mike Breeden missed weight by 3.5 pounds, but Anshul Jubli accepted to fight him still despite the bad weight miss. Everyone else made weight.
Expert UFC 294 Predictions
You need a Sports Hub account to access all of our UFC 294 predictions. Last week’s UFC event was a tough one for me. I ended up going 2-4 (-$335), but will look to make it all back and more tomorrow.
Here are my UFC 294 predictions and fight previews:
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Prediction
- Fight Odds: Makhachev (-245) vs. Volkanovski (+185)
Makhachev (24-1) and Volkanovski (26-2) are both amazing fighters. These two fought back in February and Makhachev won a five-round decision. It was a close fight. Volkanovski won the striking battle (70 vs. 57) and scored a knockdown, but Makhachev landed four takedowns to earn the unanimous decision.
Makhachev averages 2.35 SLpM, 1.27 SApM and 3.24 takedowns per 15 minutes. Volkanovski averages 6.25 SLpM, 3.36 SApM and 1.86 takedowns per 15 minutes. Volkanovski is taking this fight on very short notice, but he knows what to expect. If he wants to win, he needs to increase his striking volume.
Pushing the pace and keeping Makhachev dodging strikes should be his game plan. Makhachev is going to look for takedowns to score points. This is going to be a war and either fighter could win.
Best Bet: LOGIN TO ACCESS PICK
Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev Prediction
- Fight Odds: Usman (+265) vs. Chimaev (-340)
After losing to Leon Edwards twice at welterweight, Usman (20-3) is moving up to middleweight. He’s also taking this fight on short notice and he banged up his knee earlier in the week. Chimaev (12-0) is 6-0 in the UFC and he has finished five of his opponents. He hasn’t fought in over a year, though.
Chimaev averages 7.30 SLpM, 3.98 SApM and 3.98 takedowns per 15 minutes. Usman averages 4.46 SLpM, 2.75 SApM and 2.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. The takedown battle will be interesting. Chimaev has never been taken down and Usman has 97% takedown defense in the UFC.
Usman is getting older (36 years old) and his knees are concerning. Chimaev hits hard and fast. Four of his last five fights have ended in the first round. The big question is how will Chimaev win?
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Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Prediction
- Fight Odds: Ankalaev (-365) vs. Walker (+275)
Ankalaev (17-1-1) is coming off a draw against Jan Blachowicz, which snapped a nine-fight win streak. He’ll want to get back in the win column and push for another title fight. Walker (21-7) is explosive and he’s a power striker (16 TKO/KO wins). However, he has also been knocked out four times.
Walker is on a three-fight win streak, with two first round wins, but this is a step up. Walker will have a big reach advantage (82” vs. 75”). Ankalaev averages 3.55 SLpM and 2.15 SApM, while Walker averages 3.85 SLpM and 2.58 SApM. Ankalaev will want to make a statement in this fight.
Best Bet: Ankalaev by TKO/KO/DQ (+105)
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves Prediction
- Fight Odds: Aliskerov (-595) vs. Alves (+420)
Aliskerov (14-1) defeated Phil Hawes in his UFC debut by KO. His lone loss is against Chimaev in 2019. He averages 6.25 SLpM, but he eats a lot of shots (7.88 SApM). Alves (14-6) is on a 2-4 run in the UFC and he has lost two in a row. He was finished in three of his last four losses as well.
Aliskerov is a massive favorite with no moneyline value. Sign-up to get my UFC 294 predictions.
Best Bet: LOGIN TO ACCESS PICK
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov Prediction
- Fight Odds: Nurmagomedov (-225) vs. Gafurov (+165)
Nurmagomedov (17-3) is coming off a loss against Jonathan Martinez (decision). Gafurov lost his UFC debut against John Castaneda (decision). This could be a bit of a sloppy fight. Both guys have terrible takedown accuracy and weak takedown defense. Gafurov has some power (10 TKO/KO wins).
Neither fighter gets hit a lot. Nurmagomedov averages 2.15 SApM and Gafurov averages 2.90 SApM. Both of these guys have been durable, as neither fighter has ever been stopped before.
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Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev Prediction
- Fight Odds: Elliott (+305) vs. Mokaev (-405)
Elliott (19-12-1) is on a 4-1 run and all five fights went the distance. Mokaev (10-0-0-1) is already 4-0 in the UFC since joining the promotion last year. He has submitted three of his four opponents. Elliott has been tapped five times in his career, but the last time was back in 2020 against Brandon Royval.
Mokaev averages 7.34 takedowns per 15 minutes and he has landed 4+ in each of his last three fights. Elliott has 60% takedown defense. Elliott has improved as a grappler, but will he stand a chance?
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Best Bet: LOGIN TO ACCESS PICK
Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek Prediction
- Fight Odds: Yahya (+150) vs. Peek (-180)
Peek (8-1-0-1) is coming off a loss against Jose Mariscal (decision). Yahya (12-3) is making his debut in the UFC. Yahya has seven TKO/KO wins and Peek has eight TKO/KO wins. Peek is going to push the pace and both fighters will be looking for a knockout. I’m backing the fighter with some UFC experience.
Best Bet: Trevor Peek by TKO/KO/DQ (-105)
Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas Prediction
- Fight Odds: Azaitar (+195) vs. Dumas (-255)
Azaitar (14-3-1) last fought in 2021 and he lost by TKO against Marc-Andre Barriault. Dumas (8-1) is 1-1 in the UFC. He lost his debut, but defeated Cody Brundage in June. Azaitar is 37 years old and he hasn’t fought much in the last several years. Sign-up to Sports Hub to get my UFC 294 predictions.
Best Bet: LOGIN TO ACCESS PICK
UFC 294 Predictions – Best Parlay Bet
My best parlay bet features three big favorites. I’m betting on Chimaev, Ankalaev and Aliskerov. All of these guys are fighting on the main card and should win their respective fights.
Best Parlay Bet: Chimaev / Ankalaev Aliskerov (-108)
UFC 294 Odds
Here are the latest UFC 294 odds for all 13 fights:
- Islam Makhachev (-245) vs. Volkanovski (+185)
- Kamaru Usman (+265) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-340)
- Magomed Ankalaev (-365) vs. Johnny Walker (+275)
- Ikram Aliskerov (-595) vs. Warlley Alves (+420)
- Said Nurmagomedov (-225) vs. Muin Gafurov (+165)
- Tim Elliott (+305) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (-405)
- Mohammad Yahya (+150) vs. Trevor Peek (-180)
- Javid Basharat (-610) vs. Victor Henry (+410)
- Abu Azaitar (+195) vs. Sedriques Dumas (-255)
- Mike Breeden (+205) vs. Anshul Jubli (-265)
- Nathaniel Wood (-310) vs. Muhammad Naimov (+245)
- Viktoriya Dudakova (-575) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (+400)
- Shara Magomedov (-295) vs. Bruno Silva (+230)
How to Access UFC 294 Predictions at Sports Hub
We have numerous MMA experts releasing UFC 294 predictions. I have eight UFC 294 predictions. Make sure you sign-up for a free Sports Hub account to access all of our plays for Saturday’s fight card.
