Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

UFC 294 serves up a mouth-watering rematch between top pound-for-pound fighters Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Earlier in the year in Australia, Lightweight champion Makhachev handed Volkanvski his first defeat in twenty-two fights. Following a sparing injury to original challenger, former champion Charles Oliveira, Alexander "The Great" took the fight with twelve days' notice in a second bid to become a 2-division champion. Having given the champ a run for his money in the first fight, Volkanovski is back after taking care of business in the Featherweight class to try to wrestle the lightweight gold from Makhachev.

MMA: UFC Lightweight Championship

Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 21.10.2023. 22.00

The number three men's UFC pound-for-pound fighter debuted in the promotion in May 2015. At UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi last October, Islam Makhachev submitted former champion Charles Oliveira to become the Lightweight king. His first title defense came against Alexander Volkanovski in a brutal five-rounder that saw the Russian champ retain his title via a disputed decision. Trained by UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, the 31-year-old Makhachev is riding an eleven-match winning streak, with his solo loss coming in his UFC sophomore fight against Adriano Martins in October 2015.

• Age: 31
• Height: 5.10"
• Weight: 155 Ib
• Reach: 70"
• Record: 24-1

I don't remember when Alex knocked out someone. He wants to try to pressure. But I don't care. Everyone entering the cage wants to knock me out, but I stop them all. I showed him too much respect in the first fight. This fight, I will try to finish him through all five rounds.

Islam Makhachev

Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski has dominated the Featherweight division since toppling Max Holloway to win the 145-pound strap in 2019. The Aussie debuted in the UFC at Lightweight in 2017 and unsuccessfully challenged Islam Makhachev for the Lightweight crown early this year. Despite outstriking the Russian, the 35-year-old Australian lost a unanimous decision that earned him the Fight of the Night award. Following the setback, "The Great" returned to Featherweight to TKO Yair Rodriguez in defense of his 145-pound title at UFC 290 in July. Volkanovski is the UFC men's number two-ranked pound-for-pound fighter.He was billed to defend his Featherweight crown against Ilia Topuria next January before the short notice call-up 

• Age: 35
• Height: 5.6"
• Weight: 154.5 Ib
• Reach: 71"
• Record: 26-2

If the UFC told him to bring his belt to Abu Dhabi, he would never take it. He doesn't have any risk without his belt, so he comes. He comes to make money. It's all about this; everybody knows. If he loses, he will still have his belt and defend at the beginning of next year.

Islam Makhachev

Alexander "The Great" is a massive 3.44 underdog on Betwinner. The Fight to go the distance is 1.80 odds on 1XBET. The bet on Islam Makhachev winning by submission is priced at 4.00 odds on Bet365. The bout to end with a first-round victory for Makhachev is 8.50 odds on Bet365. 2.68 on 1XBET is the price of a victory by unanimous decision.