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UFC 284 Makhachev vs. Volkanovski Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)

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Fight fans are in for a treat come Saturday night when the two best in the UFC throw down with the lightweight strap on the line. Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev will fight in the 150-pound division in Perth, Australia. In the co-main event, Yair Rodriguez will take on Josh Emmett, with the winner likely fighting Volkanovski for the 145-pound belt. This card will also feature some up-and-coming Australian fighters looking to make a splash in the rankings. The prelims begin at six p.m. EST on UFC Fight Pass before moving to ESPN at 8 pm EST. The main event will start at 10 p.m. EST on ESPN+ PPV.

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UFC 284 Makhachev vs Volkanovski: Parlay Picks

2023 total: Down 3 units

Leg 1: Jack Jenkins moneyline (-350)

Jack Jenkins earned a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series with a dominant display of grappling, as he racked up over 11 minutes of control time and four takedowns before finding the TKO in the third and final round. He will be taking on Don Shainis, who got submitted in the first round of his UFC debut. Shainis did not get much cage time, so the statistics do not reflect much about him. He is from Massachusetts, while Jenkins is from Australia, so the crowd will surely be behind Jenkins. Shainis has good jiu-jitsu and is a tough competitor with a solid chin. Jenkins is a great wrestler and can secure a takedown to gain control on top. He is patient when on top, which will counter Shainis’ jiu-jitsu. Jenkins by ground and pound or submission is the most likely path to victory.

Leg 2: Tyson Pedro moneyline (-215)

Pedro is another Australian who will fight in front of his home country and will fight Modestas Bukauskas in the featured prelim bout. Pedro returned from a long absence in 2022 and won both fights by knockout. He is an excellent striker who uses calf kicks to make his opponent more stationary. Pedro has two submission victories in the UFC, so his grappling is high-level, while Bukauskas is primarily a striker. Bukauskas is not an exceptional fighter, but he is getting another chance in the UFC because the light heavyweight division is not super deep. Bukauskas absorbs 4.54 significant strikes per minute while landing 3.59 strikes per minute with 37% accuracy. Pedro is a patient striker averaging 2.95 strikes landed and 2.35 strikes absorbed per minute. He should be able to find his spots on the feet, which could lead to a knockout or an easy submission if he gets a knockdown.

Leg 3: Islam Makhachev moneyline (-380)

The main event is one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year and should be competitive in the early going. However, Makhachev will wear down Volkanovski and eventually get a takedown. His pressure on top is next level and wilts even the greatest fighters. Volkanovski will undoubtedly have exceptional cardio and a great game plan, but sometimes it just does not matter. Volkanovski averages 6.79 significant strikes landed per minute, but that number will be lower in this fight due to the takedown threat.

Makhachev only absorbs 0.95 strikes per minute for two reasons: 1) he is usually on top controlling the hands, and 2) his opponents tend to offer less volume because they must constantly worry about the takedown. Volkanovski will likely stay moving side-to-side in the early rounds to make it hard for Islam to time a takedown. Volkanovski is as good as it gets in the UFC, but Makhachev’s wrestling is at another level.

Parlay: +137 on DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings is the best place to play this parlay, and betting one unit or less is the best way to attack it. The main event starts at 1 a.m. EST on ESPN+.

Check out our full preview of UFC 284 prelim fights  >>

 

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