<h2>UFC 294 Preview & Tips</h2>
<p>Set your alarms fight fans. The UFC is making its way to Abu Dhabi and our very own Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski is on his way to go and steal the show.</p>
<p>Originally scheduled to be Charles Oliveira taking on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt. The fight was cancelled in the 11th hour due to Oliveira suffering a bad cut in sparring.</p>
<p>With nowhere else to turn, the UFC called up Volk and he was on the next plane to Abu Dhabi for a second chance at claiming the lightweight belt and joining a select few legends of the sport who’ve earned double champ status.</p>
<p>Check out below for a breakdown of all the main card fights coming your way on Sunday morning.</p>
<p>Enjoy the fights and remember to gamble responsibly.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>UFC 294</h2>
<p><strong>Location: </strong>Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE</p>
<p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday 22nd October 2023</p>
<p><strong>Odds:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294">Bet Here</a></p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Times</h2>
<p><strong>Early Preliminary Card:</strong> 1:00am</p>
<p><strong>Preliminary Card:</strong> 3:00am</p>
<p><strong>Main Card:</strong> 5:00am</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Schedule</h2>
<h3>Preliminary Card</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/shara-magomedov-v-bruno-silva-7696286">Shara Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva (Middleweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/viktoria-dudakova-v-jinh-yu-frey-7696285">Viktoria Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey (Women’s Strawweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/nathaniel-wood-v-muhammad-naimov-7696284">Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov (Featherweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/mike-breeden-v-anshul-jubli-7696282">Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli (Lightweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/abu-azaitar-v-sedrique-dumas-7696283">Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/javid-basharat-v-victor-henry-7704200">Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry (Bantamweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/mohammad-yahya-v-trevor-peek-7696280">Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek (Lightweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/tim-elliott-v-muhammad-mokaev-7696281">Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev (Flyweight)</a></p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Main Card</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/said-nurmagomedov-v-muin-gafurov-7696288">Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov (Bantamweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/ikram-aliskerov-v-warlley-alves-7704199">Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves (Middleweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/magomed-ankalaev-v-johnny-walker-7696287">Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/khamzat-chimaev-v-kamaru-usman-7702199">Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-294/islam-makhachev-v-alexander-volkanovski-7699867">Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Alexander Volkanovki (Lightweight)</a></p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Where to Watch UFC 292</h2>
<p><strong>Early Prelims & Prelims:</strong> Kayo & ESPN</p>
<p><strong>Main Card:</strong> MAIN EVENT (Foxtel) & Kayo (Pay-Per-View)</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>UFC 294 Tips & Predictions</h2>
<h3>Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov</h3>
<p>Kicking things off on the main card is Said Nurmagomedov taking on Muin Gafurov in a battle of the bantamweights.</p>
<p>You probably recognise that last name, and no they’re not related. Although both Khabib & Said both come from the wrestling powerhouse of Dagestan and share the same last name, that’s where the similarities end.</p>
<p>The Dagestani will be going up against Tajikistan native, Muin Gafurov. This will be Gafurov’s 2nd fight in the UFC, the 1st being a loss to John Castaneda back in June.</p>
<p>On paper this doesn’t look like a good match up for Gafurov at all. Said is 6-2 in his UFC career and will be a lot more comfortable in the Octagon come Sunday morning.</p>
<p>Both guys have extremely similar styles. They come from strong wrestling backgrounds and like to go for takedowns and grapple but from what we’ve seen, Said just does it better, plus he’s more dangerous on his feet.</p>
<p>Gafurov is currently 18-5 in his MMA career and all 5 of his losses have come via decision. We’re predicting Nurmagomedov to get this done, but we think it’ll go the distance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Muin Gafurov to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves</h3>
<p>ANOTHER late fight cancellation sees the Brazilian Warlley Alves stepping in in place of Nassourdine Imavov to face Ikram Aliskerov in this middleweight bout.</p>
<p>Alves, a 9-year UFC veteran has struggled to find consistency during his career resulting in a 14-6 record, with his last 2 fights seeing him walk away the loser. While a win here might see him get his career back on track, it’ll be hard to pull off against the 14-1 Aliskerov.</p>
<p>Aliskerov only has 1 loss on his record and that came at the hands of the one and only Khamzat Chimaev back when they were fighting at Brave Combat Federation in the Middle East.</p>
<p>Apart from that little blemish, his record is impeccable, and the former 4 x World Sambo Champion has been one to watch since earning a spot on the UFC roster with a win on Dana Whites Contender Series last September. He looked great in his recent win against Phil Hawes which he won via a nasty KO, and now in front of the Abu Dhabi crowd who will no doubt be backing him, it’s hard to see him losing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Ikram Aliskerov to Win</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker</h3>
<p>Next up, we've got another Dagestani, Magomed Ankalaev taking on Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight bout.</p>
<p>Ankalaev hasn’t fought since December last year after his controversial draw to Jan Blachowicz which saw him miss out on claiming the vacant light heavyweight belt. Many pundits believed Ankalaev won the fight and was robbed by poor judging decisions.</p>
<p>He’ll be facing Johnny Walker, who has been significantly more active than Ankalaev and is entering the Octagon on a hot streak, recently claiming the high-profile scalps of Ion Cutelaba, Paul Craig, and Anthony Smith.</p>
<p>Walker is a great fighter to watch and he’s incredibly exciting when he’s winning. He boasts 16 KOs from his 21 wins, and he likes to get it done early (74% of his fights have ended in the first round). Ankalaev is on the other end of the spectrum with 8 of his 17 of his wins coming via decision. He’s slower and more methodical with his approach but after a controversial decision you have to imagine that he wont want this one going to points.</p>
<p>Even though Walker is on a decent run, Ankalaev is just a class above and we think he’ll be getting his arm raised on Sunday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Magomed Ankalaev to Win via KO</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev</h3>
<p>After a shock withdrawal from Paulo Costa due to a staph infection, the Nigerian Nightmare, Kamaru Usman has stood up and with only 10 days’ notice and accepted the fight with prospect Khamzat Chimaev.</p>
<p>Not only has he taken this fight with only 10 days’ notice, but the traditional welterweight will also be climbing up divisions and making his middleweight debut.</p>
<p>Its crazy how quickly things can change in the UFC. If this fight was announced a year ago, Usman would be entering as the hot favourite, and we’d be saying <em>when</em> not <em>if</em> he’d be winning the fight. After a couple of tough losses to Leon Edwards though and a considerable drop in form, you’ve got to wonder if Usman still has what it takes to compete at this level.</p>
<p>Chimaev on the other hand is a bit of an unknown against elite competition. He’s always looked dominant in his fights, but he’s yet to face a fighter of Usman’s calibre. This will be the toughest fight of his career and we’re very keen to see how this one plays out.</p>
<p>If all of this wasn’t enough to get you interested, it’s been officially announced that the winner of this fight will be facing Sean Strickland for a shot at the middleweight belt.</p>
<p>Comparing abilities, Chimaev would be entering as the better wrestler and will look to take Usman to the ground early, but Usman has proven he can compete with elite wrestlers, taking on Covington twice and winning both times. Unfortunately for Usman, Chimaev is still great on his feet and if these guys go toe to toe, the up and comer will most likely come out on top.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Khamzat Chimaev to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Islam Makhachev v Alexander Volkanovski</h3>
<p>11 days. That’s as much notice as Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski was given to prepare for his rematch and shot at the lightweight belt against current champion Islam Makhachev.</p>
<p>After the original matchup against Charles Oliveira had to be cancelled due to the Brazilian suffering a bad cut during sparring, Volk got the call up and he was never going to say no for another chance at the double championship.</p>
<p>The last time these two fought was at UFC 284 in Perth which saw Makhachev retain his title via decision in what some believed to be a controversial decision (us included). While most people tipped Islam to win, everyone was surprised at how good Volk looked. His takedown defence was elite, and he looked comfortable on the ground against a guy who many thought would get him to tap. The same can also be said for Islam and his striking. He massively improved that aspect of his game, and he looked great on the feet.</p>
<p>The huge question going into this is Volks conditioning and cardio. It’s always been one of his biggest weapons, but he’s recently had surgery and he’s had no camp to prepare so you have to question how fight ready he is.</p>
<p>What he does have going for him is his fight IQ and ability to learn and adapt from previous fights. We saw it in his trilogy with Holloway. He learned how to beat him in those first fights and executed that plan to perfection in their 3rd fight. To a lesser extent you could also see it in his fight with Islam, where he absolutely dominated the last round after working him out. We thinks Volks been preparing for this fight since Perth and knows what he has to do to get his hand raised.</p>
<p>As good as Makhachev is, we’re predicting that come Sunday morning, Alexander Volkanovski will be wearing that lightweight belt around his waist and will have cemented himself as not only one of the greatest combat sport athletes of all time, but one of the greatest athletes Australia has ever produced.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tip: </strong>Alexander Volkanovski to Win via Decision</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Not avaliable in SA. </em></p>
1
JOINOnly takes3 minutes
2
DEPOSITIt's safe andsecure
3
BETGreat oddsand specials