Does Alexander Volkanovski have any chance to defeat Islam Makhachev to cap the UFC 284 card? Volkanovski is the current featherweight champ, ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter by ESPN, but Makhachev presents the biggest challenge to his undefeated (12-0) record. Based on the Alexander Volkanovski-Islam Makhachev bets, the UFC betting community thinks Volkanovski can pull off the upset.
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
Alexander Volkanovski-Islam Makhachev Betting Odds & Trends
Despite the dominance Valkanovski has shown in the ring, he comes into UFC 284 as the heavy betting underdog (+260 on BetMGM). Bettors are using these odds as a potential value opportunity. Per BetMGM data analyst John Ewing, a whopping 84% of bets favor Volkanovski on the moneyline. 59% of the handle is also on Volkanovski.
Although Mahachev comes in as the longer and stronger fighter, Volkanovski does not consider himself the underdog. He pointed to his rugby days when making a point that he shouldn’t be doubted for the title defense.
“I used to play front row in rugby before I started training in MMA. At 5-foot-6, I’ve always been undersized. I might have been heavier then, but I was the shortest guy on the field. The small people that play rugby league were still bigger than me. You would see the other team’s big front rowers smirking when we were in packs and scrums. I knew these mountains of men that I had to run at were thinking to themselves, “Look at the size of this bloke.”
The next minute, they can’t touch me. The next minute after that, they’re all game planning to try and slow me down because I’m wrecking their team. I’ve always been undersized and I’ve always proved the doubters wrong. It happens every single time. And it’s going to happen Saturday,” he said per ESPN.
Volkanovski won his last bout vs. UFC veteran Max Holloway in July of last year via unanimous decision. Makhachev has seemingly gotten more dominant every time he steps into the Octagon. He has notched a finish in his last five fights, most recently submitting Charles Oliveira with a vicious arm triangle in the third round.
Based on the Alexander Volkanovski-Islam Makhachev bets, bettors are giving Volkanovski a better chance than the odds would indicate. But he’ll certainly have an uphill battle to pull off the massive upset.
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
