Makhachev vs Volkanovski is a matchmaking dream for all fight fans. The No.1 and No.2 ranked pound-for-pound fighters going up against each other for a world championship? Doesn’t get much better. This will be a great fight to end a night full of bangers in Perth, Australia.
Read further for a full, in-depth fight analysis and prediction, along with betting advice for anyone looking to get into the game for the UFC this weekend.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Information
Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia.
Date and Time: February 11, 2023. 10 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Last Fight Record
Makhachev is coming off a title bout where he took the belt from lightweight great Charles Oliveira. This will be his first try at a title defense.
Volkanovski beat Max Holloway for the third time in his last appearance, cementing his legacy in the UFC featherweight division.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Betting Analysis
Islam Makhachev Facts to Know
Coming from the same place as UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, you could probably guess what kind of fighter Makhachev is. He is levels beyond anyone he has faced in the grappling department, along with very solid striking skills that make any fight seem impossible to win against him.
Makhachev has laughable striking statistics like landing 2.37 significant strikes per minute while absorbing less than one strike per minute. To go along with barely ever getting touched by a strike, he averages 3.42 takedowns per 15 minutes and has an 88% takedown defense.
Alexander Volkanovski Facts to Know
Alexander “The Great” will have his work cut out for him as he dares to be great, moving up to the toughest weight class in the UFC to fight the champion. Even with a 4-inch height disadvantage, Volkanovski still has a longer reach at 71″.
The striking numbers might be even more impressive than Makhachev’s. Volkanovski has averaged 6.79 significant strikes landed per minute and only has absorbed an average of 3.53 per minute. This means he fights at a high volume of striking and still lands twice as much as he gets hit.
To make him an even more solid all-around fighter, Volkanovski has a 73% takedown defense to show for it and averages over one takedown per 15 minutes in the octagon.
Updates
No injuries were reported to the athletic commission.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Betting Preview
As we look at this main event that is next on the UFC schedule, it is tough to miss the size advantage that Makhachev has over Volkanovski. With Volkanovski moving up in the weight class, it probably gives oddsmakers an extra nudge to put Makhachev as an even bigger favorite.
The Dagestani champion is the massive betting favorite at -410 as we approach fight night. He was as big as a -500 favorite at one point. With Volkanovski being a +310 underdog, it is almost impossible to look past that as your pick.
Another thing to remember while previewing this fight is that Volkanovski is a naturally bigger human than Makhachev. He used to walk around at around 215 lbs before his fighting career took off. The bone density and strength will still be there and will even the playing field more than the casual bettor might think.
The Rise of Makhachev: Dominant Wrestling Overpowers Opponents
There’s this trend now forming with Makhachev where everybody tries to justify a pick against him. They are saying whoever he fights next might have what it takes, but the truth is that his wrestling has just been way too much for everyone he has seen.
Don’t forget that a younger Makhachev got KO’d inside the octagon. This is the only hole in his armor shown, but you can’t forget that he knows what it feels like to get beaten, something that his trainer Khabib never felt.
The most interesting betting line for this Makhachev vs Volkanovski bout has to be the fight going the distance with odds at +160. This line tells us that the oddsmakers believe that the scorecards will not get involved in this one.
Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski Betting Prediction
When you are the number one and number two ranked fighter on the planet, you know that you are going to face the best of the best in the UFC next fight and for the rest of your career. Can you imagine how daunting that thought is for someone?
Both these men seem to have fulfilled their role as the world’s best perfectly so far, and we will be able to see who the best man on the planet is Saturday night.
Before we get to the Makhachev vs Volkanovski prediction, let’s look at how this fight might play out.
Makhachev has been talking all week about how he wants to knock Volkanovski out. I just don’t see that happening. I think it will be clear pretty quickly that Makhachev will not be too comfortable standing up with the dynamic striking of Volkanovski.
Volkanovski vs. Makhachev: A Battle for the Lightweight Title in the Deep Waters
The lightweight champion is going to make the challenger go through the deepest waters if he wants to come out on top and steal his belt. Be prepared for this fight to make its way into the championship rounds, with Volkanovski needing to get himself out of some pretty horrific positions against the suffocating grappling of Makhachev.
It’s hard to ever bet against either of these guys, so let’s go with a prop bet with great value. That +160 line for this fight going the distance looks like money. This fight will be going the distance, and if Volkanovski can get up from the takedowns in more than one round, he has a great chance of stealing this one away with the judges.
UFC predictions are basically impossible to make because of the unpredictable nature of the sport. The great thing about this fight is that we know it’s between the two best professional fighters in the world, and we will be able to see a great one.
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