UFC 294 goes down this weekend in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with two huge fights headlining a stacked card! Our MMA expert shares his thoughts on the main and co-main event, sharing betting tips.

MMA returns to the Middle East on Saturday for UFC 294 in the United Arab Emirates capital - with two swiftly arranged alternative matchups at the top of the cards.

 

300 USDT SPORTSBOOK WELCOME OFFER

 

Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev - 20:00 UTC

Khamzat Chimaev (1.311) (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has been untested in the ring for more than a year. The unbeaten fighter will be looking to put his rising star label behind him if he can best former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in their middleweight fight. Usman stepped up on 10 days notice when Paulo Costa pulled out as the scheduled opponent. This will be a new weight class for Chimaev and although he's well-rounded in every aspect of the fight game, it's a poignant thought that he has been preparing for a completely different fighter in Paulo Costa

After losing back-to-back title fights against Leon Edwards, former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman (3.51) (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC) will test himself out at middleweight when he takes on the unbeaten Chimaev. He'll have the pressure on him from his two-fight skid to Edwards staring back at him as an underdog against Chimaev. Usman should have a slight edge in this bout with his experience, championship mentality, and overall skill set able to match Chimaev in every exchange.

A solid match-up of new vs old here, the initial favour goes to the defender Chimaev. Though he'll be rusty on the stage and has been preparing for a different opponent, something of which Usman will be more than happy to take advantage of.

 

LATEST UFC ODDS

 

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski - 21:00 UTC

Makhachev (1.348) (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will put his lightweight title on the line for the second time against featherweight champion Volkanovski. The defender won a unanimous decision Down Under in February when Volkanovski first attempted to become a two-division titleholder. In a familiar story, Makhachev was scheduled to fight former champ Charles Oliveira until he pulled out a week ago. On a current run of twelve straight wins, Makhachev's lone loss of his career came by knockout against Adriano Martins more than eight years ago. Although he won their last encounter against his next foe, Makhachev is under no illusions that this will again be a tough test. “Honestly, I’m happy because after the last fight, we have many questions,” Makhachev said on rematching Volkanovski. “But all answers are going to be in Abu Dhabi.”

Alexander Volkanovski (3.28) (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) got his golden ticket recently. as the door opened for him to get his second crack at becoming a two-division titleholder. The current UFC featherweight champ lost a unanimous decision to Makhachev in February. Though soundly defended his 145-pound belt in July, now he’ll take another stab at his potential second piece of belt ware. Makhachev is the only fighter to beat Volkanovski in the past 10 years and the contender is taking a gamble in taking this shot at the title on such short notice, of course there'll be questions as to his preparedness.

The reigning champion, and winner of the first bout, Makhachev is the current favourite here. Volkanovski, coming up in weight on just 11 days' notice, sits as a slight underdog. However, with everything to gain and nothing to lose for the contender, we'll be on for an interesting bout.

 

Early Prelims - 14:15 UTC

Bruno Silva vs Shara Magomedov - Middleweight 3.33 1.34

Jinh Yu Frey vs Viktoriya Dudakova - Women Strawweight 4.97 1.18

Nathaniel Wood vs Muhammad - Featherweight 1.29 3.66

Mike Breeden vs Anshul Jubli - Lightweight 3.20 1.36

 

Preliminary Card - 16:15 UTC

Abu Azaitar vs Sedriques Dumas - Middleweight 2.93 1.42

Javid Basharat vs Victor Henry - Bantamweight 1.17 5.17

Mohammad Yahya vs Trevor Peek - Lightweight 2.36 1.61

Tim Elliott vs Muhammad Mokaev - Flyweight 4.20 1.23

 

Main Card - 18:15 UTC

Said Nurmagomedov vs Muin Gafurov - Bantamweight 1.46 2.78

Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves - Middleweight 1.15 5.47

Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker - Light Heavyweight 1.25 3.97

Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev - Middleweight 1.31 3.51

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski - Lightweight 1.35 3.28

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 12:00 UTC Thursday 19th October**

To view more expert sports content and previews, view all our latest articles here.