Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker Pick, 10/21/2023 Predictions UFC 294 Odds

Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker

UFC 294

Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Magomed Ankalaev will enter the Octagon against Johnny Walker at UFC 294 on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The line has Ankalaev at -340 while Walker is at +270.

Magomed 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". Johnny 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". With respect to significant strikes, Magomed Ankalaev is connecting on 3.55 per minute and Johnny Walker is connecting on 3.85 significant strikes per minute. Ankalaev lands 52% of the significant strikes he attempts and Walker connects on 56%. When it comes to defending in the Octagon, Ankalaev takes 2.15 significant strikes per min and Walker allows 2.58. Ankalaev also stops 59% of the significant strikes that are directed at him while Walker deflects 46% of them.

In the category of takedowns, Magomed Ankalaev is the more capable grappler as he is able to score a takedown 0.99 times per 3 rds. Ankalaev is scoring a takedown on 29% of his tries and defending 86% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. Walker is finishing his takedown tries on 85% of his takedown tries and stuffing 60% of takedowns his opponents have attempted. Regarding going for the sub, Ankalaev is not as skilled of a technician by attempting 0.7 submissions per 15 minutes while Walker goes for 1.0 sub per 3 rds.

The last time he stepped into the Octagon, Magomed Ankalaev squared up with Jan Blachowicz and ended up in a draw by way of split decision in round 5. Blachowicz ended up landing 79 of 141 total strikes that he let go. Ankalaev walked away from this fight having landed 191 of 312 total strikes. In the category of significant strikes, Blachowicz landed 55 of 117, which means his percentage was 47%. He ended up landing 19 of 71 significant strikes to the head. In terms of stats for the opponent, Ankalaev ended up landing 42% of his significant strikes by connecting on 78 of 184. Of all the significant strikes, he was 49 of 139 aimed at the head. 90% of the significant strikes connected on by Blachowicz and 64% of them connected on by Ankalaev were tallied at a distance.

In the last Octagon appearance for Johnny Walker, he battled Anthony Smith and ended up getting the victory in the fight by unanimous decision in round 3. Smith ended up connecting on 100% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance and Walker ended up connecting on 88% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance. Walker landed 47% of his significant strikes attempted by connecting on 92 of 192. He connected on 32 of 117 significant strikes aimed at the head. Smith connected on 38 of 92 significant strikes in that fight. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he landed 19 of 64 aimed at the head. In relation to total strikes that he let go in that fight, Smith ended up landing 41 of 95 while Walker ended up connecting on 99 of 204 total strikes.

Other bouts to watch

An additional bout that shouldn't be missed is when Ikram Aliskerov enters the Octagon with Warlley Alves. Aliskerov steps into the cage with a mark of 14-1-0. The 30-year-old is fighting at 185 lbs and measures 6'0". The southpaw fighter extends his reach 76". Alves comes in at 5'11" and is weighing in at 185 lbs. The orthodox fighter walks into the cage holding a mark of 15-6-0. The 32-year-old has a reach of 72". In terms of takedowns, Ikram Aliskerov takes his opponents to the canvas 3.47 times per 15 min and Warlley Alves takes his opponents down 1.37 times per 3 rds. When it comes to striking, Aliskerov connects for an average of 6.25 strikes/min and connecting on 60% of the strikes that he throws. On the other side of the cage we have Warlley Alves, who is connecting on 47% of the strikes he has thrown and is connecting on 3.21 per min.

If you're into fun fights, you're going to want to see when Muin Gafurov is set to square up in the Octagon against Said Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov comes into this bout holding a record of 17-3-0. The 31-year-old is fighting at 135 lbs and stands 5'8". The orthodox fighter stretches 70". Gafurov measures 5'7" and is fighting at 135 lbs. The southpaw fighter will be looking to add a win to his career total of 18-5-0. The 27-year-old has a reach of 68". Regarding wrestling, Said Nurmagomedov stops 65% of the takedowns fighters have tried and is taking his opponents to the mat on 16% of his attempts. Gafurov is finishing his takedown tries on 27% of the tries he takes and prevents 62% of all takedown tries against him. In the category of striking, Nurmagomedov is taking 2.15 strikes/min while he dishes out 3.54 per min. Gafurov, notwithstanding, is absorbing 2.90 strikes/minute and lands 3.07 per minute.

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Magomed Ankalaev (-340)

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