It will be a battle of champion vs. champion at UFC 284 tonight in Perth, Australia, where Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on newly-crowned Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.
Despite fighting in his home country, Volkanovski is a sizable betting underdog. Here, we look at UFC 284 odds, with props and predictions to come as fight night approaches.
Volkanovski is putting his pound-for-pound best fighter status on the line against Makhachev in an attempt to become the promotion’s fifth-ever ‘champ champ.’
Since Volkanovski is chasing new gold, an interim featherweight title bout between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett fills the co-main event slot, with the winner set to take on the 145-pound champion when he returns to defend his current belt.
UFC 284 Main Event Odds: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski
Two of the best fighters in the UFC facing off in the same Octagon should make for a great fight. Both have become well-rounded and seemingly unstoppable so far in their UFC careers, but someone’s win streak has to come to an end on Feb. 11.
As the fight approaches, sportsbooks have 31-year-old Makhachev as the favorite, coming in at -375 at FanDuel, but priced as high a -400. The 34-year-old Volkanovski is the underdog, offered at +320 odds at DraftKings.
Here are the best UFC 284 odds we’re seeing on both champions from the top sportsbook apps leading up to the fight.
UFC · Sat (2/11) @ 10:00 pm ET
| Alexander Volkanovski | at | Islam Makhachev |
| RAC Arena, Perth, AU | ||
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski Betting Preview
Volkanovski is Chasing UFC History
Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is looking to do what only four champions before him have done: hold two belts simultaneously in the UFC.
With a victory, he would become the second fighter to hold the featherweight and lightweight belts at the same time. Conor McGregor was the first to do it back in 2016.
He would join the ‘champ champ’ club also with Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo. The last fighter to attempt this feat was former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya when he tried to win the Light Heavyweight belt against Jan Blachowicz in 2021. Adesanya lost that fight by decision.
Volkanovski is coming off a third victory against former featherweight champion, Max Holloway. He has also defended his title against Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega.
He has also secured notable wins over Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes. However, eight of his 12 UFC victories have come by decision.
Makhachev Looks for First Title Defense and No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Status
The protégé of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) is also seeking something with a win in this matchup: being the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
A win over Volkanovski would likely shoot him to the top of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Makhachev has breezed through most of his opponents in his UFC career with five finishes in his last five fights. He has submitted former champion Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises, and Drew Dober, and he finished Bobby Green by TKO.
Currently on an 11-fight win streak, Makhachev also has notable wins over Arman Tsarukyan, Chris Wade, and Mansour Barnaoui.
For Makhachev, success will come from relying on his world-class grappling. The Dagestani wrestler will want to keep his distance on the feet and not go toe-to-toe with Volkanovski, a former 200-pound rugby player with heavy mitts.
UFC 284 Props, Undercard Odds and Predictions
Method of Victory
Makhachev by KO/TKO (+500 on FanDuel)
Makhachev by submission (+165 on DraftKings)
Makhachev by decision (+230 on FanDuel)
Volkanovski by KO/TKO (+900 on FanDuel)
Volkanovski by submission (+2200 on DraftKings/FanDuel)
Volkanovski by decision (+650 on DraftKings)
Total Rounds
2.5 (Over -155 at DraftKings, Under +125 at DraftKings)
Alternate Total Rounds
Over 0.5 (-1800 at DraftKings), Under 0.5 (+750 at DraftKings)
Over 1.5 (-320 at DraftKings), Under 1.5 (+225 at DraftKings)
Over 3.5 (-120 at DraftKings), Under 3.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Over 4.5 (+110 at DraftKings), Under 4.5 (-145 at DraftKings)
Will Fight Go The Distance?
Yes (+120 at DraftKings)
No (-165 at DraftKings)
How Fight Will End
Submission (+125 at FanDuel)
TKO/KO (+320 at FanDuel)
Decision (+135 at FanDuel)
UFC 284 Main Card Odds
Here’s the main card lineup for UFC 284, along with each fighter’s moneyline odds at DraftKings:
Lightweight Championship: Islam Makhachev (-380) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (+310)
Interim Featherweight Championship: Yair Rodriguez (-170) vs. Josh Emmett (+145)
Welterweight Bout: Jack Della Maddalena (-325) vs. Randy Brown (+270)
Heavyweight Bout: Justin Tafa (-125) vs. Parker Porter (+105)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimmy Crute (-190) vs. Alonzo Meinfield (+160)
UFC 284 Event Info
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Date: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023
Start Time: Prelims at 6 p.m. ET, Main at 10 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ESPN+ PPV
UFC 284 Predictions
Here are our predictions that are sticking with fighters from Down Under at UFC 284:
Jack Della Maddalena by KO/TKO (-115 at DraftKings)
Justin Tafa by KO/TKO (+165 at DraftKings)
Tyson Pedro to win by KO/TKO (+150 at DraftKings)
Alexander Volkanovski moneyline (+310 at DraftKings)
About the Author
