Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Highly-rated former Russian champion Sambist Ikram Aliskerov faces Brazilian winner of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 in a Middleweight bout on the main card of UFC 294. Aliskerov was first scheduled to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 291, but the bout got scrapped. The Russian was then scheduled to fight Nassourdine Imavov, but the Frenchman withdrew due to visa issues, leading Warlley Alves to step up to 185-pound from Welterweight in a bid to try to save his UFC career. Ikram Aliskerov is a massive favorite to win his sophomore fight against Alves, who will be fighting at Middleweight for the first time since his TUF Brazil 3 triumph.

MMA: UFC Featherweight

Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 21.10.2023. 19.45

The 30-year-old is seen by many as the future of the 185-pound class. The former four-time world champion in combat samba earned a UFC contract last year when he submitted Maria Sousa at DWCS 54. Ikram Aliskerov, an international master of sport in combat samba, needed only two minutes to knock out Phil Hawes at UFC 288. Now a massive favorite ahead of the contest with Warlley Alves is Aliskerov, who competed at Eagle FC and Brave Combat Federation before his UFC bow fights out of Dagestan.

• Age: 30;
• Height: 6.0”;
• Reach: 76”;
• Record: 14-1

Since winning The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 Middleweight tournament, Warlley Alves has competed at Welterweight. His UFC career proceeded smoothly in the early days, with two consecutive wins following his TUF debut. A lack of consistency has seen losses to James Krause and Randy Brown added to setbacks against Kamaru Usman and Bryan Barberena. Following consecutive losses in his last two fights, the switch to Middleweight looks like a move to return to the weight class where he previously won laurels. 

• Age: 32;
• Height: 5.11”;
• Reach: 72”;
• Record: 14-6

Warlley Alves is a 4.80 underdog on Bet365 as he makes the step up to Middleweight. Yes, for the bout to get to round two is 1.66 odds on 1XBET, with the No priced at 2.15 odds. Yes, for the start of round three is 2.95 on Betwinner.