UFC 294 Best Bets for Props with Predictions for Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2

by Mike Allen - 10/17/2023

One of the best UFC cards of the year is going down this Saturday from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Remember, guys, this is an early slate for viewers in the USA. The first prelim starts at 10:00 AM Eastern, and the main card of UFC 294 kicks off at 2:00 PM Eastern.

One thing I love about the pay-per-views is all the prop bets that are available. There will be even more later in the week, but bettors are already attacking those released last night. So, let's not waste any more time and jump into these UFC 294 prop bets.

Get sports picks for every league and nearly every matchup on Doc’s free picks page.

Sharabutdin Magomedov (-250) vs Bruno Silva (+210)

Some of you guys may be familiar with Bruno Silva. He is a durable Brazilian striker with heavy hands and some of the most vicious ground and pound in the entire promotion. He has gone the distance with former UFC Middleweight Champion Alex Peirera.

If you are familiar with his opponent at UFC 294, Sharabutdin Magomedov, you are certainly not a casual fan. I have been following this guy for about a year and a half. He is a one-eyed Muay Thai machine!

His last name does end in "Ov", and the man is from Dagestan, Russia. So, why does he bother trying to knock his opponents out when he can seemingly take them down and control them there?

From my experience inside the ring, I would say that it is way more fun. It's less tiring also if you aren't a fan of fatigue.

The dude is H-E-double hockey sticks on wheels inside the Octagon and undefeated at 11-0 as a professional. He is the betting favorite, but I don't think he will run through his opponent on Saturday so easily.

Silva has yet to be finished by strikes in 32 professional fights at 185 pounds. While I think the Russian will put him away, I am willing to bet Bruno holds on past the halfway mark.

Prediction: Over 1.5 Rounds: -110

Mohammad Yahya (+132) vs Trevor Peek (-152)

Mohammad Yahya is the first fighter from the UAE to compete inside the Octagon. I would have imagined that they would be setting him up to win, but Trevor Peek is a terrible matchup for him.

Yahya is listed as a kickboxer, and after watching the Anatomy of a Fighter video on him and seeing him shadowbox and hit pads, he better hope he can wrestle for 15 minutes.

There is always at least one sacrificial lamb on these home country fight cards. I know he is the only fighter from the UAE, but just consider the Russian and/or Muslim fighters as the home team. I didn't think the lamb would come from the home country, but that's what it looks like here.

Trevor Peek is nothing but fun. The Alabama native has a granite chin, heavy hands, and a level of aggression that is usually only seen in the animal world. Cue the "Honey badger don't care" viral video.

Yahya is severely flawed defensively, and Peek does not stop throwing heat, not even to breathe. One will find the mark.

Peek Wins Inside the Distance: -105

BEST BET

Muhammad Mokaev (-440) vs Tim Elliott (+340)

Yes, this is our best bet on the fight card altogether. I like this one better than any straight play. Tim Elliott is a vet. I get it. He won a round against Might Mouse Demetrius Johnson. Cool story bro, but that was a long time ago.

Muhammad Mokaev is a Dagestani-born savage, but he grew up in the UK. He is only 23 years old, but if you include his amateur career, he is on a 33-fight win streak! The UFC brass is bringing him along slowly, but this guy could compete for a world title at 125 pounds tomorrow.

He is better everywhere than Tim Elliott. So, why are we getting plus money on an inside-the-distance bet that covers us on either a submission or a KO/TKO win?

The oddsmakers know Elliott is a vet, and he will be able to squirm out of some funky stuff. He is squirmy but just too flowy to avoid getting caught over 15 minutes. Whether Elliot is striking or grappling, he is always moving.

That got him caught in an arm triangle against Brandon Royval and a guillotine opposite Deiveson Figueredo. These two guys are high level but so is Mokaev.

A decision win for Mokaev means nothing for his stock. Honestly, I think it would drop it. He is young and improving at a very high rate. Mokaev is the type to hunt for a finish, and Elliott is the type of fighter to keep doing different stuff until something significant happens.

Mokaev Wins Inside the Distance: +125

Fun Bets for this Fight

Magomed Ankalaev (-360) vs Johnnie Walker (+285)

I smell an upset here. Johnnie Walker is very long and dynamic. Magomed Ankalaev is likely to change his level often in order to get this fight to the mat. I could see a flying knee from the Brazilian.

I like what I hear in his interviews as well. He understands he is a big underdog and the B-side in this fight. Walker said he knows that he has nothing to lose and isn't afraid to fight to win. I don't think he will win a decision or get a sub. So, almost doubling his payout for the KO/TKO is a gift.

In the other corner, Ankalev has some very long odds for a submission win. It goes against the narrative, but that is what we should do to find betting value. These two are fun bets, though. Size them accordingly.

Ankalaev by Submission: +600

Walker by TKO: +500

Co-Main Event

Khamzat Chimaev (-300) vs Kamaru Usman (+250)

This matchup was put together just days ago, and Kamaru Usman is going up in weight to 185 pounds for this world title eliminator fight. For this reason, I like betting the over 1.5 rounds. Usman's brain will be hydrated better than ever and hopefully hold up to the early storm from Khamzat Chimaev.

I think there will be a good amount of wrestling in the opening frame also. That should help us get to the halfway mark before this one ends.

Over 1.5: -155

Main Event

Islam Makhachev (-250) vs Alexander Vokanovski (+210)

It's time! Most of us thought a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski would never happen again, but when Charles Oliveira went down to a nasty cut from training, Volk stepped right up.

This is a prop article. So, we will stick to those, but if you are a bettor who doesn't mind paying (-250) worth of juice, then Makhachev's moneyline is worth a look.

For a prop bet, I like this fight to go the distance. There are some factors like the short notice that point towards a potential stoppage, but the first fight never came close to ending inside the distance. So, I’ll take the even money for these two to go the full 25.

Fight Goes the Distance: +100

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UFC 294 Best Bets for Props with Predictions for Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2

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