UFC 284: Makhachev vs Volkanovksi Odds, Best Bets, and Full Card Predictions

We’ve got ourselves a doozy this weekend, ladies and gentlemen. The number one pound for pound fighter in the UFC, Alexander Volkanovski, is set to move up from Featherweight to Lightweight in order to take on the number two pound for pound fighter, Islam Makhachev, in a fight for the lightweight title belt.

Do I even need to say more? Honestly, I should be able to end the story there–but if you need a little more convincing to tune into this Saturday’s fight card, then I’ll do my best.

The early prelims kick off this Saturday, February 11th at 6:15 PM. The normal preliminary card begins at 8:00 PM EST, and the main card starts at 10 PM. The main event between Makhachev and Volkanovksi will probably start at around 12:00 AM EST, with the co-main (an interim feather title fight between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett) should start at around 11:15 EST.

Full UFC 284 Fight Odds

Early Prelims

Zubaria Tukhugov (-600) vs Elves Brenner (+450)

Shane Young (-135) vs Blake Bilder (+115)

Loma Lookboonmee (-285) vs Elise Reed (+240)

Jack Jenkins (-345) vs Don Shainis (+285)

Preliminary Card

Jamie Mullarkey (-265) vs Francisco Prado (+225)

Shannon Ross (+265) vs Kleydson Rodriguez (-320)

Josh Culibao (-105) vs Melsik Baghdasaryan (-115)

Tyson Pedro (-240) vs Modestas Bukauskas (+200)

Main Card

Jim Crute (-190) vs Alonzo Menifield (+160)

Justin Tafa (-125) vs Parker Porter (+105)

Jack Della Maddalena (-315) vs Randy Brown (+260)

Yair Rodriguez (-180) vs Josh Emmett (+155)

Islam Makhachev -380) vs Alexander Volkanovski (+310)

Other than the last few fights, I wouldn’t be surprised if the casual fan doesn’t recognize any of the other fights. That said, these are all great fights and deserve your undying attention–and they also will be a blast to bet on.

DraftKings Sportsbook is offering great odds on this weekend's UFC card. Many of the other great online casinos are offering odds as well, but I’m a DraftKings homer, so when I give my best bets, the odds will be provided from them.

So, without further to do, here are my best bets for EACH FIGHT on Saturday night’s card, with a quick sentence or two explaining my choices.

Tukhugov vs Brenner: Elves Brenner To Win By Submission (+1000)

I know, we’re starting off with a bang here, but it’s worth your attention. Brenner will be making his UFC debut on Saturday, but he’s entering the octagon with 11 submission victories under his belt. Tukhugov is a seasoned veteran, but he could easily get caught up in a submission if Brenner is as dangerous as his resume makes him out to be. Plus, there isn’t much value with any other bet in this fight, so why not root for the underdog?

Young vs Bilder: Over 2.5 Rounds (-120)

Both Young and Bilder (who will be making is UFC debut) are well rounded fighters with strong wrestling, so this one has barn burner written all over it. Use this bet to make up for the longshot in the previous fight.

Lookboonmee vs Reed: Lookboonmee to win by decision (-135)

Again, there’s not much value in this fight, but I can’t really see it going any other direction. Elise Reed has shown some vulnerability on her feet, especially striking, but Lookboonmee hasn’t really shown much knock out power yet in her career. Each of her last seven fights has gone to a decision, and I expect her to make it eight on Saturday.

Jenkins vs Shainis: Jenkins to win by KO/TKO/DQ (+140)

We’ve got two heavy-hitting new comers squaring off here, so someone is going to sleep–and it’ll probably happen fast. Shainis only has one UFC fight under his belt, which was a submission loss to Sodiq Yusuff in October of 2022. Jenkins, a DWCS alumn, has knocked out three of his last four opponents and will definitely look to be making a splash in his UFC debut.

Mullarkey vs Prado: Prado to win by KO/TKO/DQ (+550)

Prado, a 20-year-old UFC newcomer, has successfully finished every opponent in his career (5 KOs, 6 Subs). He’s coming into this Saturday’s fight having knocked out three of his last four opponents, and Mullarky has recorded each of his three MMA losses via knockout. I think Prado will hold onto the zero for another fight on Saturday.

Ross vs Rodrigues: To go the distance (+105)

Both guys are too well-rounded and may both be too desperate for the win in order to take any huge risks. This one has decision written all over it.

Culibao vs Baghdasaryan: Under 2.5 rounds (+140)

While both fighters have been going the distance as of late, I expect this fight on Saturday to be a war–and it’ll end with someone going to sleep. Each fighter has 5 knockouts on their resume, so it’s not like its never happened. 

Pedro vs Bukauskas: Tyson Pedro to Win AND Under 1.5 Rounds Parlay (+160)

Pedro has only had two fights in his entire career go past the first round, and he’s won every fight of his career via KO or Submission. Bukauskas, on the other hand, is starting his second stint in the UFC, and Pedro is everything but an easy opponent. 

Crute vs Menifield: Menifield to Win (+160)

Crute is coming off of two losses–albeit one was to the current champ Jamahal Hill and the other came on the tail end of a bizarre leg injury against Anthony Smith. However, I think he’ll have trouble with Menifield’s power, who has won each of his last two fights via KO/TKO.

Tafa vs Porter: Parker Porter To Win By Decision (+350)

Tafa is a knockout artist, but Porter has a great chin that he’s proven time and time again. Tafa has also shown vulnerability in fights that go the distance, seeing as how every fight that has gone to decision has ended in a loss for Tafa. Porter has won three of his last four fights, each via a unanimous decision. 

Della Maddalena vs Brown: Over 2.5 Rounds (+125)

Della Maddalena is on a three fight KO win streak and has 11 KOs on his record, but I think he’s going to find some trouble dealing with the craft veteran that is Randy Brown. Brown has only lost via TKO/KO twice in his career, and has 16 wins under his belt.

Rodriguez vs Emmett: Rodriguez to win (-180)

While Rodriguez’s most recent two fights haven’t necessarily gone according to plan, I just think he’s way to quick for Emmett to handle. Emmett loves to get into brawls and get hit, and that will not work against a fighter like Rodriguez.

Makhachev vs Volkanovski: Alexander Volkanovski to Win (+310)

Don’t get me wrong, I think Makhachev is a fantastic fighter–but I think a lot of us are being blinded by the new shiny toy. I feel we’ve forgotten who’s been the best and most consistent champion for the last few years–my man, Alexander Volkanovski. I think it’ll be a war, but Volkanovski is just cut from a different cloth.