Islam Makhachev Finishes Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294

Live updates and analysis as Volkanovski looks to defeat Makhachev, while Khamzat Chimaev faces his toughest test against Kamaru Usman.

Makhachev ambushes Volkanovski, finishes him in opening round

Islam Makhachev finished Alexander Volkanovski in the first round with a head kick.

After Volkanovski tested him like never before, Makhachev proved in the rematch that there is no comparison between the two.

Courtesy Zuffa

Makhachev landed some strong kicks in the opening round, but it was a left head kick that effectively ended this one. That was followed by a few seconds of ground-and-pound before it was stopped, forever securing this rivalry in Makhachev’s favor.

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Volkanovski took the fight on extremely short notice, only 11 days before the fight, and the fantasy of him winning was soon replaced by reality. Makhachev found an opening for a blistering head kick, which prolongs his run as the best in the world.

Justin Gaethje makes the most sense for Makhachev’s next lightweight title defense. Perhaps it belongs to Charles Oliveira, but it feels like he lost his shot. For Volkanovski, he is still on pace to defend his featherweight title this January against Ilia Topuria.

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Main event: Alexander Volkanovski (+215) v. Islam Makhachev (-260)

Can Alexander Volkanovski find a way to solve the Islam Makhachev puzzle?

Courtesy Zuffa

If he can’t at 294, this is his last shot.

If he can, the legend of Volkanovski reaches new heights.

Volkanovski has five rounds to beat Makhachev. In all likelihood, it will come sooner if he wins. The smart bet is Makhachev, but we’re due for an upset.

My pick: the underdog

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Chimaev passes test against Usman

Khamzat Chimaev won the biggest fight of his career, overcoming Kamaru Usman by majority decision.

Despite landing more significant strikes, Usman was on the wrong end of control time. The first round effectively won Chimaev this fight, and he now prepares for a title shot against Sean Strickland.

Chimaev controlled Usman on the ground in the opening round. It took considerable discipline to make it through the round with Chimaev in complete control.

The pace of the second round slowed considerably. Chimaev landed a takedown in the final 30 seconds, but that was an extremely tight round.

Chimaev struggled greatly with Usman’s pressure in the third, but he finally landed a takedown, one that likely won him the round. Usman worked his way back to his feet, but he did not have time to do enough damage.

After the fight, Chimaev revealed that he injured his right hand in the first round, preventing him from striking as often as he would have liked and complicating his ability to wrestle. Usman came close here, and would no doubt like to have had a five-round bout here.

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Kamaru Usman (+302) v. Khamzat Chimaev (-380)

Kamaru Usman, one of the most dominant welterweight champions in UFC history, enters his UFC 294 middleweight bout against Khamzat Chimaev as a massive underdog.

Courtesy Zuffa

This is Usman’s middleweight debut, and a fight he accepted on short notice. But it is also the bout he wanted. As everyone else has sprinted away from Chimaev (12-0), Usman boldly asked for this fight on repeated occasions.

Chimaev is undefeated, but also largely untested. The winner here will be next in line for a title shot, where so many assume Chimaev will be. Yet Usman (20-3) can pause that trajectory with a win, adding to his own legacy with the victory.

Let’s try this again: let the upsets begin.

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Doctor stoppage ends Ankalaev-Walker

Controversy emerged in the Johnny Walker-Magomed Ankalaev bout.

The fight ended in the first round by doctor stoppage, deeming that Walker was unable to continue due to an unintentional foul. That caused a no contest, which, on the surface, seems like an absurd call.

Ankalaev seized control in the first round with a takedown, but Walker kept himself protected against the cage. A vicious knee to Walker’s chin paused the fight. Walker’s interaction with the doctor seemed awfully rushed, and it was quickly deemed he could not continue.

Both fighters were furious with the decision, and Dana White needed to enter the cage to calm them down. They’ll have to run this back, but the string of bad breaks continues for Ankalaev.

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Johnny Walker (+315) v. Magomed Ankalaev (-400)

Let the upsets begin.

Courtesy Zuffa

Johnny Walker enters this bout full of momentum. Magomed Ankalaev is still bitter he wasn’t crowned light heavyweight champion in his controversial split draw against Jan Blachowicz in a December fight for the then-vacant belt.

The winner here could be next in line for a title shot.

My pick: the underdog

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Aliskerov decimates Alves

Warlley Alves never stood a chance.

Iskram Aliskerov started his assault with a jab, quickly dropping Alves. He then landed a picturesque flying knee, then finished Alves with a vicious combination on the cage.

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Aliskerov (15-1) is worthy of the hype. Outside of the lone loss to Chimaev in 2019, he has been unstoppable. He finished Alves in just over two minutes, finishing a talented opponent without breaking a sweat.

Ikram Aliskerov (-599) v. Warlley Alves (+450)

Courtesy UFC

This should also be quick. Ikram Aliskerov is a force, only falling to Khamzat Chimaev. He is the favorite for a reason, and it would be a massive upset if Warlley Alves lasts two rounds.

Pick: the favorite 

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Nurmagomedov puts Gafurov to sleep

Muin Gafurov came out swinging, but that was also downfall.

His aggressiveness was costly, as Said Nurmagomedov caught him in a guillotine choke. Just as quickly as it started, this was over in 73 seconds.

Courtesy UFC

The victory makes five of the last six for Nurmagomedov (18-3). He is a threat in the division, and his next objective needs to be fighting ranked opponents.

Also: that is a great start for the favorites.

Opening bout: Said Nurmagomedov (-290) v. Muin Gafurov (+238)

Said Nurmagomedov deserves to be the favorite here.

Courtesy Zuffa

Both fighters are coming off a loss, but Nurmagomedov (17-3) is far more seasoned than Gafurov. Neither fighter is a top-15 ranked bantamweight, but that is a loaded division. Nurmagomedov has won four of his last five, providing reason to believe this could be a fun opener.

Nurmagomedov has not knocked out an opponent since October when of 2020, but his style plays well against Gafurov (18-5).

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EVERETT, MA - UFC 294 is taking place in Abu Dhabi.

I’m not there. But I am at the Wynn Sportsbook in Everett, just outside of Boston. I’m here to share up-to-date odds on the 294 card, and we’ll see how the odds play at for one of the most exciting cards (at least on paper) of the year.

I like the underdogs today, particularly Alexander Volkanovski, Kamaru Usman, and Johnny Walker. On a rainy day here in MA, we are treated to afternoon fights, overpriced casino coffee, and what should be a spectacular main event.