UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 Predictions & Tips – Saturday, October 21

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Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 Predictions & Tips – Makhachev To Retain On Points At UFC 294

Leigh Copson

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Last updated: 18 Oct 2023

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Leigh Copson 18 Oct 2023

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Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 tips for Saturday, October 21
UFC 294 is taking place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Will Makhachev beat Volkanovski for a second time?

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Islam Makhachev battles Alex Volkanovski in February (Getty Images)

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 Predictions & Tips

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 Predictions & Tips
Head To Head
Islam Makhachev Form
Alexander Volkanovski Form

Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski 2 Predictions & Tips

Islam Makhachev is tipped to retain his lightweight title on points.

Makhachev was able to take down Alexander Volkanovski repeatedly and control the first fight.

More of the same is expected here, as the champion uses his wrestling to earn the nod from the judges.

Islam Makhachev won the first meeting via unanimous decision
Makhachev took down Volkanovski in 4 of the 5 rounds in the first fight
Makhachev had 7:37 of control time in the first fight (Volkanovski 2:55)
Islam Makhachev has a 62% takedown accuracy in his career

Head To Head

Islam Makhachev won by unanimous decision when they fought on February 12

Islam Makhachev Form

Islam Makhachev is the defending UFC lightweight champion with a career record of 24-1 (4 KOs, 11 Subs).

Makhachev debuted in the UFC back in 2015 and suffered an early setback when he lost his second fight.

He was knocked out by Adriano Martins in the first round at UFC 192, but his response was to surge up the lightweight ladder and become champion.

A decision win against Chris Wade started a 12-fight win streak that propelled him to the top of the division.

He followed up that win with a points win over Nik Lentz, before knocking out Gleison Tibau in the first round and the submitting Kajan Johnson in the first.

Makhachev then claimed unanimous decision wins against Arman Tsarukyan and Davi Ramos, before submitting Drew Dober in the third round, Thiago Moises in the fourth and Dan Hooker in the first.

The 31-year-old Russian then earned himself a shot at the vacant title by knocking out Bobby Green in the opening round.

He took his big chance, submitting Charles Oliveira in the second round, and in his first defence back in February he earned a unanimous points win over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Alexander Volkanovski Form

Alexander Volkanovski is the current UFC featherweight champion with a career record of 26-2 (13 KOs, 3 Subs).

Volkanovski joined the UFC in late 2016 and made an immediate impression with a second round knockout of Yusuke Kasuya.

He then claimed decision wins against Mizuto Hirota and Shane Young, before stopping Jeremy Kennedy with strikes in the second round.

The wins kept coming as he beat Darren Elkins on points in July 2018, and since then he has done nothing but face big names.

Volkanovski knocked out Chad Mendes in the second round before earning a shot at the featherweight title by beating Jose Aldo on points.

The 35-year-old Australia won the featherweight crown at the first attempt, beating Max Holloway via unanimous decision.

He then won the rematch with Holloway via split decision, before earning a points in over Brian Ortega.

Volkanovski’s first stoppage win as champion came after that, as he knocked out The Korean Zombie in the fourth round, and he then went the distance as he won the trilogy fight with Holloway.

‘The Great’ moved up to lightweight after that win, in an attempt to become a two-weight champion, but his hopes were dashed by a points loss to Islam Makhachev.

Volkanovski rebounded in July though, knocking out Yair Rodriguez in the third round to make another successful defence of the featherweight crown.

Verdict

Islam Makhachev v Alexander Volkanovki 2

The pair are meeting for the second time this year, and we are predicting a repeat of the first fight.

Islam Makhachev is such a dominant wrestler that we expect him to take down Alexander Volkanovski repeatedly and grind out the win.

Makhachev by Decision

Method of Victory

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