UFC 284 Odds, Props, Predictions: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski To Battle for Lightweight Title in Australia

It will be a battle of champion vs. champion at UFC 284 in February, when Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on newly-crowned Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.   

Despite fighting in his home country of Australia, 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.

Currently, sportsbooks have 31-year-old Makhachev as the favorite, coming in at -330 at FanDuel as of Saturday, Jan. 21. The 34-year-old Volkanovski is the underdog, offered at +280 odds in early wagering at DraftKings.

Here are the best UFC 284 odds we’re seeing on both champions from the top sportsbook apps three weeks before the fight.

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

This story will be updated with props, odds on other fights on the UFC card, and predictions as we get closer to the event.

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