This Saturday UFC 294 heads to Abu Dhabi with a STACKED card for us all to watch.
The last time we had a PPV to write about was nearly a month and a half ago at UFC 293 where Sean Strickland was able to beat Adesanya. This is how my card did.
- Anton Turkalj -115 (1U) L
- Austen Lane +178 (1U) L
- Fight To Go Distance In Kape/Santos +175 (1U) W
- Tai Tuivasa +200 (1U) L
- Under 1.5 Rounds In Tuivasa/Volkov -115 (1U) L
- Fight To Go Distance In Adesanya/Strickland +110 (1U) W
Record: 2-4 (-1.3U)
UFC 294 PPV CARD
Pretty stacked card if you ask me. Paulo Costa was originally set to fight Khamzat Chimaev before getting replaced by Kamara Usman because of a nasty-looking infection. Charles Oliveria was also set to fight on this card against Islam Makhachev before getting replaced by Volkanovski because well, it sounds like he was scared and being a pussy via reports. Honestly, the dropouts and replacements made this card even better than it was going to be, so I will not be complaining.
Match 5: Said Nurmagomedov (-220) Vs Muin Gafurov (+180)
Well well well, look who has made his way back to the ring. For those who don’t know I absolutely NUKED Nurmagomedov back in March which resulted in a loss. It was my bet of the year and we got robbed by the judges. There’s absolutely NO WAY he loses two fights in a row, especially in Abu Dhabi. Just look at his last name.
Preview: This fight won’t even be close. I just don’t know how he gets it done. Submission +210 or Decision +200? Let’s go with a 2nd round submission.
Best Bet: Said Nurmagomedov By Submission +210
Match 4. Ikram Aliskerov (-650) Vs Warlley Alves (+445)
This fight was over before it even started. Now look I know anything can happen once you’re in the octagon but let’s not kid ourselves here. Ikram Aliskerov is a HUGE betting favorite, and rightfully so. He’s 14-1 and only starting his climb in the UFC rankings. Don’t blink because if you do you will find Alves laying on the canvas.
Preview: Ikram will finish this fool in the first round. Maybe even the first minute. The question is how will he choose to do it? My first instinct was KO, but he can submit him just as easily.
Best Bet: Ikram In Round 1 +115
Match 3. Magomed Ankalaev (-380) Vs Johnny Walker (+290)
Another sizeable favorite, for a good reason. These Russian fighters DO NOT GIVE A FUCK! I’m actually a fan of Johnny Walker but I don’t think he stands a chance. He’s fighting at his best right now, but other than delivering a KO blow I don’t see how he can leave this fight victorious. Something about the venue being in Abu Dhabi just screams the Russians will dominate.
Preview: This fight could last 3 minutes or might make it the full 15. Either way, Magomed Ankalaev will be leaving Abu Dhabi with another W by his name.
Best Bet: Fight To Go Distance (+154)
Co-Main Event: Kamaru Usman (+240) Vs Khamzat Chimaev (-300)
Kamaru Usman had to get paid A LOT of money to take this fight on short notice. Why else would you take this fight against arguably the scariest fighter on the UFC roster? Usman is a great fighter as we all know, which means he’s smart enough to weigh the pros and cons of everything that could happen as a result of this fight. The big question right now on “X” is did he hurt his fragile ass knees at his open workout today?
Justin Gaethje was quick to tweet that it was all a misunderstanding about what it sounds like he said. Even if he didn’t say “It popped” why he is walking like something is wrong with his knee? That look is the face of a man who is in some pain. I would know because I’m a man, but that look from me is usually because I’ve been sitting on my couch too long and my legs are locked up.
Preview: I have nightmares of fading Usman after he delivered KO blows against Burns & Masvidal in back-to-back fights in 2021. But yet again I’m riding with the favorite to get shit done. The UFC randomly has a card once a year where all the favorites win, and this card could easily be that one.
Best Bet: Fight Go Distance +150
Main Event: Islam Makhachev (-275) Vs Alexander Volkanovski (+210)
The first 4 fights weren’t hard for me to pick. This one is. The short-notice bullshit is getting to my head. Islam is an insane fighter, but could the short notice potentially help Volkanovski in multiple ways? All the pressure is on Islam. What does Volk have to lose? He took a fight on 12 days notice against the champion? Not to mention this video of how much he weighed when he first received the call from the UFC.
This is the reason my brain is getting fucked with. Can he really beat Islam with all these challenges in his way?
Preview: After looking at Islams’ past fights I’m officially confident enough to say Volk is gonna win this fight. It really contradicts my statement in the last fight about all the favorites winning, but one has to give right? Will we hear one of those legendary calls this weekend if Islam is laid out flat on his back?
Best Bet: Alexander Volkanovski (+210)
UFC 294 Betting Card:
The prelims ARE LOADED with great fights. Tons of bets will be added/on this bet card for UFC 294.
- Said Nurmagomedov By Submission +210 (1U)
- Ikram Aliskerov Win In Round 1 +115 (2U)
- Kamaru Usman Vs Khamzat Chimaev To Go Distance +150 (1U)
- Alexander Volkanovski +210 (1U)
- Silva & Magomedov Under 1.5 Rounds -105 (1U) Early PRELIMS
- Muhammad Naimov +260 (1U) EARLY PRELIM + RUSSIAN FIGHTER PLAY
- PARLAY: Said Nurmagomedov + Ikram Aliskerov + Khamzat Chimanev (+115) 1U
- PARLAY: Said Nurmagomedov + Ikram Aliskerov (-147) 1.5U
- Said Nurmagomedov + Ikram Aliskerov 1st Round Finish (+210) 1U
Basically, parlay anything you like with “Said Nurmagomedov” ML.
Final Words
10.5U deployed. This is not a joke haha. College football Saturday + UFC 294 with a stacked ass card. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s start off our 10K Betting week with a huge night tomorrow on TNF!
Some people call me MarTy and some people call me Ryan. Wildcard when it comes to my writing. #FadeMe if I ever tweet out “locks”.