Makhachev vs Volkanovski Betting Odds Preview: There Can Be Only One
UFC 284 Matches The Two Best Pound-For-Pound Fighter
Not An Even Matchup Despite “Superfight” Billing
The UFC has “stacked” its next big event for Super Bowl weekend: a “champion vs champion” fight that also pits the number-one and number-two pound-for-pound fighters against each other. However, despite all the hoopla about this matchup, the Makhachev vs Volkanovski Betting odds have this as a blowout for the former. UFC 284 is set in Alexander Volkanovski’s home country but it will be Islam Makhachev with a crowning moment.
Fight Information
Islam Makhachev (c) (23-1-0) vs Alexander Volkanovski (c) (25-1-0)
Date & Time:
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Makhachev Could Prove to Be Fearless
It all sounds great in theory when you pit the consensus two best fighters on the planet. But in practice, Makhachev may just make the idea look foolish. At least, that’s what the Makhachev vs Volkanovski Betting odds expect. At -400, Makhachev has a 76.2 percent implied chance of winning. That means three out of every four times, Makhachev emerges as victorious.
Both champions have dominated with a combined 22-fight win streak. But Makhachev will have a significant advantage in one area. No, not even his size (he is four inches taller) but his wrestling. Makhachev, like his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, has mauled every opponent he’s fought. They know what is coming but they can’t stop it. Makhachev lands 3.42 takedowns per 15 minutes at a 65 percent clip and seven of his eight finishes in the UFC came on the ground.
And yet Makhachev has higher aspirations. He wants to make a statement by knocking out Volkanovski in his own game: striking.
“Honestly, I want to knock him out, because everybody says [that] Islam a grappler or wrestler, but I want to show people my striking,” Makhachev told ESPN Deportes. “He is a short guy, and I really believe I can knock him out.”
That is an ambitious gameplan from Makhachev and one that pays 4-1 on the UFC 284 odds if it happens. Either he’s serious or he’s putting up a smokescreen to confuse Volkanovski. The Australian is an experienced wrestler in his own right but uses it to keep the fight standing. There, he tees off on opponents to the tune of 6.79 significant strikes landed per minute. He’s not fazed by Makhachev’s trash talk regarding his stature.
“There’s breaking news,” Volkanovski said in response to Makhachev’s comment. “I’ve been short all my life. I was short when I was in rugby league. I’ve been short since I’ve been fighting and in all the things I’ve done [athletically]. I’ve managed to deal with it, I guess. I’m a short fellow, and I’ve always had to find ways in and all that stuff, so I’ve built a whole style around myself and my height.”
Indeed, the featherweight champion will have quite the challenge to overcome as a 3-1 underdog. Should he pull it off, it may go down as the biggest upset in the UFC even outside the Makhachev vs Volkanovski Betting odds.
| Last Updated: 2/9/2023* | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | +300 | +2.5 -165o |
| Islam Makhachev | -400 | +2.5 +135u |
Rodriguez and Emmett Hold Down Volkanovski’s Division
In the co-main event are the two best contenders in Volkanovski’s division: Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett. They’re fighting for the interim title either to unify it against Volkanovski or to be the new champ should “Volk” leave the division. The UFC betting lines favor Rodriguez (-170), which is his first time since 2019. He is 1-1 in his last two fights both as underdogs.
As for Emmett, the Team Alpha Male fighter is an underdog once again. He has won four of his last five fights as one and is 6-2 overall when lined like this in the UFC. Emmett managed to squeeze out two contentious decisions to get this interim title shot. But he’s also won several bouts via knockout. Like Volkanovski, Emmett prefers to keep fights standing where his heavy hands are his biggest weapons.
Rodriguez, however, will not be a stationary target for Emmett to swing at. The lanky featherweight moves a lot and likes to fight at a distance. He will have five inches of height over Emmett even if his reach is just an inch longer. “El Pantera” has also had a much tougher UFC schedule than Emmett as five of his last six opponents were either former champions or title challengers.
Even if the UFC lines have the UFC fighters in this one going over 4.5 rounds (-150), don’t be surprised if either man finishes the fight early. Between Emmett’s powerful fists to Rodriguez’s penchant for spectacular knockouts, “don’t blink.”
| Last Updated: 2/9/2023* | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Emmett | +155 | +4.5 -150o |
| Yair Rodriguez | -190 | +4.5 +120u |
*Get the winning edge by checking fighter odds before you bet, Be sure to check the last updated of UFC 284 Betting Odds.
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