Can’t wait for the Super Bowl on Sunday? Good thing we have an appetizer the night before, as UFC 284 takes place on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 11. Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski serves as the main event from Perth, Australia — but we have quality fights down the card. So let’s break down my favorite UFC 284 predictions and best bets with respect to the odds.
UFC 284 Predictions: Saturday, Feb. 11
How would you like to turn $5 into $200 with little effort? DraftKings Sportsbook makes that a reality with this special offer for UFC 284. Here’s how it works:
- Follow the link in the banner below to sign-up for DraftKings Sportsbook
- Verify your account and deposit at least $5
- Bet $5 on any moneyline (Makhachev -450, Tukhugov -605, etc)
- Get $200 if your bet wins, regardless of the odds
Read those last two lines again. You can bet $5 to win $200 no matter the odds! This means you can bet on a massive favorite to win and still 40x your initial wager.
Redeem this exclusive offer below!
UFC 284 Predictions: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Pound for pound No. 1 fighter in the world — Alexander Volkanovski — moves up to 155 lbs to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Makhachev is coming into this fight as an almost 4 to 1 favorite.
With complete conviction, it can be stated that Makhachev is the rightful favorite in this fight. His grappling skills are unparalleled and make him one of the most dominant forces we’ve ever seen inside the Octagon. This fight perfectly aligns with Makhachev’s style and gives him a clear advantage. He possesses the perfect trifecta of weight, height, and grappling dominance, making him the clear-cut favorite.
- Want Super Bowl Props? Check out our 15 favorite Super Bowl Prop Bets, which include some of the most entertaining and profitable wagers.
It is an undeniable fact that Volkanovski’s reign as Featherweight champion was impressive but stepping up to Lightweight presents a new challenge. Despite his success, Volkanovski has struggled against fighters who rely heavily on wrestling and grappling, as evidenced by his fights against Chad Mendes and Brian Ortega. The reality is that these fighters have been able to take Volkanovski down and put him in real danger on the ground. While he may have managed to escape in the past, it is a foregone conclusion that against a grappler of Makhachev’s caliber, who boasts a superior level of wrestling and Sambo skills, it will be a difficult night for Volkanovski.
My best bet on UFC 284 is Islam Makhachev winning via Submission. This is currently priced at +155 on Fanduel. Makhachev won’t waste any time on the feet, instead, he’ll aggressively put Volkanovski against the cage and take him down to the ground, where he has dominated in four out of his last five fights. When you look at what Makhachev has done to fighters in the past and then you factor in the weight advantage, height advantage, and overall strength advantage he will have, it’s truly hard to see any other scenario playing out in this fight. Alexander Volkanovski truly has almost zero path to victory.
Best Bet: Islam Makachev By Submission (+155)
UFC 284 Predictions: Randy Brown vs. Jack Della Maddalena
One of the bigger bouts on the main card of UFC 284 is Randy “Rudeboy” Brown vs Jack Della Maddalena.
Randy Brown is coming into this bout as a +280 underdog, and I don’t understand why. Brown has a significant height and reach advantage in this bout and has a variety of ways to win this fight. Jack Della Maddalena is a fighter who’s 3-0 in the UFC however the competition he’s faced is very suspect. We’ve seen him in some serious trouble on the regional scene and I think Brown will look to expose his grappling and take him to the ground.
Brown has five career wins via submission and at +1300 it’s worth a look. I think Brown’s boxing is good enough to keep Maddalena at range and outpoint him as well. Randy Brown has faced tougher competition and knows how to win. Overall, I have this bout priced closer to a pick’em and love Brown at +280 and a sprinkle on him at +1300 by submission.
Best Bet: Randy Brown +280
Side Bet: Randy Brown by submission (+1300)
UFC 284 Predictions: Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett
For my third and final bet of the night, I take a look at the co-main event: Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett.
Yair Rodriguez is a talented kickboxer out of Mexico coming into this fight as a -165 betting favorite. I like his side in this fight. Rodriguez’s kickboxing will play a huge role in this fight.
Josh Emmett is more of a one-dimensional fighter with good boxing and a strong overhand right. I just think Rodriguez will be too much for him. Yair should be able to dance around Emmett using his kicks and a flashy style of striking to out-point Emmett for a decision victory. Josh Emmett turns 38 years old in a month and has had many gruesome injuries inside the octagon. I think this is his going away party, and I predict it ends badly for him Saturday night. For my final bet, I’m rolling with Yair Rodriguez’s moneyline at -165.
Best Bet: Yair Rodriguez moneyline (-165)
