UFC Fight Night 234: Ankalaev vs. Walker odds, picks and predictions

In a 5-round light heavyweight bout in the main event, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 234 at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC Fight Night 234: Ankalaev vs. Walker odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

Records: Ankalaev (18-1-1) | Walker (21-7-0)

Ankalaev and Walker met at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, and the fight ended in a no contest. Ankalaev scored a takedown, and while Walker was still grounded, Ankalaev hit him in the head with a knee.

Prior to that fight, Ankalaev fought Jan Blachowicz for a shot at the title, and the UFC 282 bout ended in a draw. He hasn’t had a loss since a submission against Paul Craig in mid-March 2018 in his UFC debut, but he hasn’t tasted victory since knocking out Anthony Smith at UFC 277 in late July 2022.

Walker had 3 straight wins prior to the no contest. He won via unanimous decision against Smith, knocked out Craig in the 1st round, and tapped Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279. He has managed a 4-4-1 record in the past 9 bouts dating back to Nov. 2, 2019.

Walker has a slight 3.87-to-3.56 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, although Ankalev is slightly more accurate at 63.03% to 61.29%, with a much better takedown average, too.

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UFC Fight Night 234: Ankalaev vs. Walker odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:25 a.m. ET.

UFC Fight Night 234: Ankalaev vs. Walker picks and predictions

I really like WALKER (+400) to pull the upset in this main event. He was extremely displeased with the way the last fight ended, and he’ll use that axe he has to grind as motivation in the rematch.

It isn’t all just a revenge factor, though. Walker holds a whopping 7-inch reach advantage, so he’ll be able to push and pull Ankalaev (-550) away whenever he sees fit.

Walker has been able to win in a number of different ways, but the knockout is his best bet. He has a 5-2 record via knockout in 12 fights at the UFC level. I like WALKER BY KO/TKO OR DQ (+700) on the 7-way line for a potential lucrative payoff.

No (-550): Will the fight go the distance? is way too much risk for not enough reward.

OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (-165) is a much better play. Ankalaev went the distance in 4 of his 5 fights previous to UFC 294’s no contest. Walker hasn’t made it out of Round 1 in 4 of his past 5 fights, although he went the distance against Smith prior to the no contest.

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