Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Pick, 10/21/2023 Predictions UFC 294 Odds

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski

UFC 294

Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Islam Makhachev will battle Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The odds have Makhachev priced at +260 while Volkanovski is coming in at +205.

Islam Makhachev steps into the Octagon holding a record of 24-1-0. The 31-year-old is fighting at 155 lbs and measures 5'10". The southpaw fighter has an arm span of 70". Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski measures in at 5'6" and is weighing in at 145 lbs. The orthodox fighter steps into the Octagon with a record of 26-2-0. The 35-year-old has a reach of 71". Concerning significant strikes, Islam Makhachev connects on 2.35 per minute and Alexander Volkanovski is connecting on 6.25 significant strikes per minute. Makhachev lands 59% of the significant strikes he throws while Volkanovski is connecting on 56%. In terms of defending in the Octagon, Makhachev allows 1.27 significant strikes per minute while "The Great" allows 3.36. Makhachev also stops 61% of the significant strikes his opponents throw his way and Volkanovski is able to curb 58% of the shots thrown his way.

Regarding takedowns, Islam Makhachev is the more efficient grappler as he is able to score a takedown 3.24 times per 15 minutes. Makhachev is getting his opponent to the mat on 62% of his attempts and is stuffing 90% of all takedowns attempted by his opposition. Volkanovski is taking his opponents to the mat on 37% of his takedown attempts and stopping 69% of takedowns his opponents have attempted. In terms of submission attempts, Makhachev is the more skilled technician by attempting 1.1 subs per 15 minutes while Volkanovski looks to get 0.2 subs per 15 min.

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In his previous fight, Islam Makhachev squared up with Alexander Volkanovski and took home the victory by unanimous decision in round 5. Volkanovski landed 164 of 255 total strikes that he let go in that contest. Makhachev ended the night having landed 95 of 135 total strikes. In regard to significant strikes, Volkanovski ended up landing 70 of 143, which means his percentage was 48%. He finished the fight landing 37 of 96 significant strikes directed at the head. On the other side of the cage, Makhachev ended up landing 60% of the significant strikes he threw by landing 57 of 95. Of all the significant strikes, he was 36 of 72 aimed at the head. 82% of the significant strikes connected on by Volkanovski and 78% of them landed by Makhachev were done at a distance.

In the last bout for Alexander Volkanovski, he went up against Yair Rodriguez and ended up getting the victory in the fight via a punch to the head while on the ground in round 3. Rodriguez ended up connecting on 95% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance and Volkanovski ended up landing 37% of his significant strikes at distance. Volkanovski connected on 68% of his significant strikes attempted by connecting on 66 of 97. He ended up connecting on 48 of 69 significant strikes aimed at the head. Rodriguez ended up connecting on 40 of 80 significant strikes in that fight. In terms of accuracy for the significant strikes, he landed 13 of 49 to the head. When discussing total strikes attempted in that contest, Rodriguez landed 57 of 103 and Volkanovski connected on 149 of 198 total strikes.

Other bouts on the card to keep an eye on

Another fight to keep an eye on is when Kamaru Usman encounters Khamzat Chimaev. Usman has a career mark of 20-3-0. The 36-year-old will fight at 170 lbs and stands 6'0". The switch fighter extends his reach 76". Chimaev stands in at 6'2" and steps on the scale at 185 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this fight with a mark of 12-0-0. The 29-year-old has an arm span of 75". In the grappling category, Kamaru Usman is able to score a takedown 2.96 times per 15 minutes and Khamzat Chimaev is averaging a takedown 3.98 times per 3 rds. When talking about striking, Usman is landing 4.46 strikes/min and is landing 52% of the strikes that he throws. The other guy in this fight is Khamzat Chimaev, who lands 59% of his attempted strikes and is landing 7.30 per minute.

Another bout to watch is when Johnny Walker is set to clash with Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalaev walks into the cage holding a record of 18-1-1. The 31-year-old records a weight of 205 lbs and measures 6'3". The orthodox fighter stretches 75". Walker measures 6'6" and will fight at 205 lbs. The orthodox fighter steps into the Octagon holding a record of 21-7-0. The 31-year-old has an arm span of 82". In terms of grappling, Magomed Ankalaev curbs 86% of his opponents' takedown attempts and is finishing his takedown attempts on 29% of the times he tries. Walker is finishing his takedowns on 85% of the attempts he tries and is able to stop 60% of all takedown attempts. With regard to striking, Ankalaev absorbs 2.15 strikes/minute and he is dealing 3.55 strikes/minute. Walker, on the other side, is taking 2.58 strikes/min and is dishing out 3.85 per minute.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Islam Makhachev (+260)

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