UFC 294: Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker odds, picks and predictions

In a 3-round light heavyweight bout on the main card, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker meet Saturday at UFC 294 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s around the UFC 294: Ankalaev vs. Walker odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims can be viewed on ESPN+ starting at 10 a.m. ET with the main card following on Pay-Per-View (PPV) at 2 p.m. ET.

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

Ankalaev fought to a draw against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 in Dec. 2022 in a title fight. The 31-year-old saw his 9-bout win streak snapped, although he hasn’t been beaten since losing to Paul Craig via submission in his UFC debut.

The Russian light heavyweight has finished inside the distance 6 of his 11 fights at the UFC level, including 5 KO/TKO victories, including a 2nd-round knockout of Anthony Smith at UFC 277 in July 2022.

Walker bounced back nicely after a 2-bout losing streak against Thiago Santos and Jamahal Hill, posting 3 straight victories over the aforementioned Smith, Paul Craig and Ion Cutelaba. He has done it a number of ways, too, showing his versatility, fighting to a unanimous decision against Smith, knocking out Craig in the 1st Round, while submitting Cutelaba, also in the 1st Round.

Walker holds an amazing 7-inch reach advantage, which shouldn’t be discounted. He also has a super slim 3.85-to-3.55 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, with Ankalaev slightly accurate at 62.91% to 61.48% for Walker. On the ground, Walker has the better numbers, posting a 1.03 submission average.

Watch  this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 294: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker odds

FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:14 p.m. ET.

UFC 294: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker picks and predictions

Call me crazy, but I don’t discount the 7-inch reach advantage WALKER (+270) holds in this fight. That’s a tremendous advantage, and one which will allow the Brazilian fighter to pull Ankalaev (-335) in and out at his choosing. The Russian won’t be able to get close to Walker, frustrating him.

I like the fact that Walker can win a fight in a multitude of ways. Just in his past 3 fights alone he has shown his tremendous versatility, and his ability to end fights quickly, too.

I also feel Ankalaev pushes a little too hard in this one, and might walk into a potential knockout. He fought to a draw last time out against Blachowicz, and the fight was panned by fans and Dana White for being rather boring. He might try to do things he isn’t comfortable with, getting himself into trouble in the process.

If you’re not comfortable playing the underdog, but still want action, look to KO/TKO (-140) for the “How fight will end” method of victory. That’s your best bet, regardless of the winner, although playing WALKER BY KO/TKO (+600) is worth playing lightly for a potential chance to multiply up by 6 times. Again, remember that 7-inch reach advantage, which will serve him well.

OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (-154) isn’t a terrible play, as Ankalaev obviously went the distance last time out. While Walker has not made it into the 2nd round in 3 of his past 4 fights, this is a giant step up in competition, too, and he won’t get the quick finish.