It’s a highly-anticipated rematch at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October as Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev runs it back with former champion Charles Oliveira.
In the co-main slot, Khamzat Chimaev makes his middleweight debut against former title challenger Paulo Costa.
Let’s take a look at the UFC 294 odds, props, and predictions.
UFC 294 Main Event Odds
The sportsbooks have the current champ Makhachev at a -360 favorite, making Charlie Oliveira the underdog at +260.
UFC · Sat (10/21) @ 2:00 pm ET
| Charles Oliveira | at | Islam Makhachev |
| Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, AE | ||
UFC 294 Co-Main Event Odds
The co-main event odds are actually similar to its main event counterpart. Chimaev is the moderate favorite on this card at -375 with Costa being priced around +270.
UFC 294 Betting Preview: Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2
Makhachev Sets His Sights on Oliveira Again After Volkanovski
After a showing against Alexander Volkanovski that many scored for the featherweight champion, it almost feels like Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) has something to prove.
The matchup at UFC 284 in February was a great fight. It felt like a Rocky movie and at the end, the underdog, Volk, ended up on top, wailing down punches in what was definitely at least a moral victory.
But, Makhachev pulled off the victory, though his fellow fighters now see it is possible to break down the young, second coming of Khabib.
But here’s the thing: Outside of one flash knockout early in his UFC career, nobody has been able to actually beat the champ.
His wrestling is some of the best in the entire organization — hands down. His striking isn’t something to write home about, but he dropped Oliveira in their first matchup last year, which led to the arm triangle submission.
He has victories over Bobby Green, Dan Hooker, Arman Tsarukyan, and Drew Dober among others.
It will be interesting to watch how Makhachev continues to evolve because his last two bouts have really been the only fights against top contenders.
The future is limitless for Makhachev if he beats Oliveira again. The Volkanovski rematch is there. His own opportunity to become champ champ at welterweight is there in 2024. A matchup against Justin Gaethje is definitely not out of the question.
We will just have to see where the cards lie.
Oliveira Looks for Redemption
“The Lightweight Champion has a name and it’s Charles Oliveira,” is the cry of the former champion and many adoring fans.
Oliveira (34-9-1 MMA, 21-9-1 UFC) is one of the promotion’s most beloved fighters. He has the most submissions, finishes, and bonuses in UFC history.
His UFC career began with many ups and downs, leading him to eventually have a 22-8 record after being 20-4 pretty early on. But Oliveira has proven to be a survivor in the UFC. And he found a way to climb to the top after stringing together an 11-fight win streak, which included his championship bouts before the Makhachev loss.
He has beaten the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Tony Ferguson all in a row — and he finished all of them. There truly hasn’t been a streak like that in UFC lightweight history ever.
The loss to Makhachev was devastating for Charlie Oliveira and his fans, but earlier this year, he brutally knocked out Beneil Dariush in what was set to be a matchup between top-tier grapplers. But hey, that’s 2023 MMA in a nutshell. Sean Strickland is a UFC champion now. Anything is possible.
A win for Oliveira against Makhachev probably sets up a pretty immediate trilogy, unless Volk wants a crack at the lightweight belt with a new foe. But that’s not as likely as Volkanovski is set on that belt specifically because of Makhachev.
But we all know Oliveira really wants to fight Conor McGregor if that’s ever possible and that’s a fight that Dana White and Co. might allow.
Again, MMA in 2023 has shown anything is possible.
UFC 294 Main Event Odds
Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
Start Time: Main Card at 2 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ESPN+ PPV
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