Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 Betting Tips: Back the challenger at UFC 294
As a late replacement in the UFC 294 Abu Dhabi main event, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will now square off with featherweight title holder Alexander Volkanovski in a repeat of February's headliner in Perth.
The Dagestani, who is defending his crown once more at UFC 294, has remained inactive since his February win over the Australian Volkanovski. Despite the debated result, "and still" was announced after the final bell as Islam retained his place on the lightweight pedestal with a unanimous victory.
For Volk, the element of surprise could be his key to victory in this rematch. Oliveira was forced to pull out of a second title shot against Makhachev due to a deep cut above his eye suffered during a sparring session before flying out to the Middle East. Living up to his moniker as one of the organisation's most active fighters, Volkanovski salvaged 294's headline event and now takes a second swing at becoming one of five simultaneous two division champions in UFC history.
UFC 294 Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Tips
As posted in our UFC 294 tips piece we're aboard the Volkanovski train in this main event.
For as close as their first meeting was, we thought the Australian did enough to edge out a decision win in Perth earlier this year.
Volk delivered more significant effective striking and grappling, which is the number one factor in the scoring criteria for UFC fights.
Honours could have been shared between the two when it comes to determining fight area control, but Volk was the more successful of the two in displaying aggressiveness, which is another element of scoring criteria based around making attempts to finish the fight.
During media duties Volk tells it how it is. He has been very open and honest in his assessment of their previous matchup and what he can do to change the outcome of this rematch.
We know that the size difference didn't bother the challenger, nor did Islam's perceived ground game advantages. In fact, Volkanovski is adamant that he is the stronger of the two individuals, which lines up with what we saw in their first dance at UFC 284.
Islam's last performance does not warrant the disparity in odds that bookmakers are implying, so we'll be taking the 9/4 on offer for Volkanovski to become the new lightweight champion.
Volkanovski's dominance at 145lbs is fuelling his desire to tackle the lightweight division, especially after running Makhachev as close as he did in February.
Although the champion remains undefeated, we are supporting the narrative that Volk can be the kryptonite that will dethrone him and dramatically shake things up at 155lbs.
Volk is the only one of Islam's last six opponents to take him the distance, and towards the closing stages of that fight almost earned himself a TKO stoppage win.
It's difficult to compare The Great's opponents at featherweight to his Dagestani opponent who weighs in 10lbs heavier on the scales and significantly more when entering the cage on fight night. But Volk has finished two of his last four opponents, including Yair Rodriguez in the latest defence of his title less than three months ago.
The 35-year-old is predicting that we see an entirely different approach from him on Saturday night, and we're inclined to believe he's telling the truth. When some count him out, the man always delivers, and we are confident he can blow the roof off the lightweight division by snatching the belt from Islam with a spectacular finish in front of his home crowd.
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