UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 takes place on Saturday, October 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the event, and MMAOB staff writer Adam Martin looks at the opening odds below.
UFC 294 Odds
Islam Makhachev -200
Alexander Volkanovski +170
Khamzat Chimaev -300
Kamaru Usman +250
Magomed Ankalaev -500
Johnny Walker +375
Ikram Aliskerov -300
Warlley Alves +250
Said Nurmagomedov -225
Muin Gafurov +190
Muhammad Mokaev -500
Tim Elliott +375
Mohammad Yahya -400
Trevor Peek +330
Javid Basharat -350
Victor Henry +285
Sedriques Dumas -250
Abu Azaitar +210
Anshul Jubli -900
Mike Breeden +600
Nathaniel Wood -400
Muhammadjon Naimov +300
Viktoriya Dudakova -450
Jinh Yu Frey -350
Sharabutdin Magomedov -300
Bruno Silva +250
Here are my quick thoughts on the UFC 294 Opening Odds:
- The main event of UFC 294 is a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, who is taking this fight on short notice for the injured Charles Oliveira. Makhachev and Volkanovski met earlier this year at UFC 284, with Makhachev winning a close decision. Now, after Oliveira pulled out due to a cut, Volkanovski gets his rematch. The featherweight champion is coming off a dominant win over Yair Rodriguez in his last fight and is now stepping up in weight on short notice to fight Makhachev. Although Makhachev is an incredible talent, Volkanovski is one of the best P4P fighters and he has a chance to win this.
- The co-main event is a middleweight bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman, who is taking this fight on super short notice after Paulo Costa pulled out. Chimaev is unbeaten in his MMA career and he has beaten everyone in his path in the UFC, including Kevin Holland in his last fight last September. As for Usman, he is coming off two straight losses to Leon Edwards and is now moving up in weight on short notice to fight Chimaev. This looks like a very difficult fight for Usman to win on short notice, hence Chimaev being favored.
