UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

I bet my bottom dollar (in fact I did) that was an intentional weight miss 

Tartara talking to himself again 😆 

Peek gonna smash your boy 😆 

It looks like you are talking to yourself 🤣

This is the first time Peek ever left America and after tomorrow he is going to wish he stayed at home.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 6:33 PM ET *

 Fight 1: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski


Prediction:Islam Makhachev
Method: Decision
Confidence: 65%
Breakdown: Makhachev’s grappling prowess will pose a challenge to Volkanovski. Although Volkanovski has a higher significant strikes rate, Makhachev's takedown defense and grappling may nullify the stand-up. Given Makhachev's strong takedown defense and submission rate, a decision win is likely.


Fight 2: Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev


Prediction:Khamzat Chimaev
Method: Submission in Round 2
Confidence: 70%
Breakdown: Chimaev boasts impressive striking accuracy and a potent submission game. While Usman's takedown defense is commendable, Chimaev's grappling and submission expertise might be overwhelming, leading to a submission win.


Fight 3: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker


Prediction:Magomed Ankalaev
Method: Decision
Confidence: 65%
Breakdown: Both fighters have solid KO percentages, but Ankalaev's more balanced striking and better takedown defense might give him the edge in a striking match that goes the distance.


Fight 4: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Warlley Alves


Prediction:Ikram Aliskerov
Method: Submission in Round 3
Confidence: 60%
Breakdown: Aliskerov's high takedown average and Alves' lackluster takedown defense may see the fight go to the ground. Coupled with Aliskerov's submission game, he could secure a win in the later rounds.


Fight 5: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov


Prediction:Said Nurmagomedov
Method: Decision
Confidence: 63%
Breakdown: With both fighters having similar profiles, Nurmagomedov's slightly better striking defense and experience could see him take a decision victory.


Fight 6: Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev


Prediction:Muhammad Mokaev
Method: Decision
Confidence: 67%
Breakdown: Mokaev’s impressive takedown average and younger age might give him the edge in a grappling match that could go the distance.


Fight 7: Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek


Prediction:Trevor Peek
Method: KO in Round 1
Confidence: 68%
Breakdown: Peek's high KO percentage and striking accuracy suggest that he could end the fight early with a knockout.


Fight 8: Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry


Prediction:Javid Basharat
Method: Decision
Confidence: 64%
Breakdown: Basharat’s superior striking difference and takedown defense could see him outpoint Henry for a decision victory.


Fight 9: Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas


Prediction:Abu Azaitar
Method: Decision
Confidence: 62%
Breakdown: A close matchup, but Azaitar's slight edge in striking might be enough for a decision win.


Fight 10: Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli


Prediction:Anshul Jubli
Method: Decision
Confidence: 60%
Breakdown: Jubli’s better striking difference and unblemished record might give him the confidence and strategy for a decision win.


Fight 11: Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov


Prediction:Nathaniel Wood
Method: Decision
Confidence: 66%
Breakdown: Wood's superior striking and takedown accuracy should see him control the fight en route to a decision.


Fight 12: Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey


Prediction:Viktoriia Dudakova
Method: Submission in Round 2
Confidence: 68%
Breakdown: Dudakova's impressive submission rate and younger age could be decisive against Frey.


Fight 13: Shara Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva


Prediction:Shara Magomedov
Method: KO in Round 1
Confidence: 70%
Breakdown: Magomedov's high KO rate suggests he has the power to end the fight early. 

Kamaru knee injury is bad he doesn't pull out bc he is a warrior with champion mentality ,he wants to cash out and he is not allowed to ruin the card ,but he knows he can't beat Khmzat in this condition hopefully the fight doesn't end due to his knee injury
Khamzat champ next year obviously 

@FcBayern 

How do you know Usman's knee injury is bad? Or are you just talking out ur ass?

Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II
Islam Makhachev, DEC
Volks short notice, home turf full camp and previous victory should be enough for Makhachev to take decision in this one, that being said Volk is one of those top MMA practitioners that have amazing fighting IQ, hes been there and got a good read of the opponent that is master in his craft but very one dimensional at the same time. Logic says Islam but Alexander can easily make it an upset! Makhachev by Decision (small fun parlay)

Usman vs. Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev, TKO, R3
Usman seems very calm and collected leading to this fight, but i don't think he been himself since Headkick -> BOOM! served by Edwards. Chimaev on the other hand is a conductor on his own hype train, ego big enough to serve 10 UFC fighters, it will be a crushing experience for him when he eventually loses but I don't think it's time yet. Without doubt he's a beast and I think in this one he will expose Kamaru's weaker mentality in decisive and fashionable manner. Chimaev KO/TKO Under 2 (Small fun Parlay)

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker, TKO, R2
I'm torn with one, really like both guys. On one side Ankalev is objectively more complete fighter, that being said Jan fight has proven that he's durability is not necessarily there (legs taken apart by almost retired low output fighter that he controlled for over 11min) . On the other unconventional striker and athletic freak of nature Johnny Walker, that imo has very questionable chin, and seems reserved and overly cautions since Hill KO. I can see 3 possible outcomes to this bout, Walker deals volume and pressure from the begining and overwhelms Ankalev to TKO/KO in the second round, two Ankalev counters walker early(under1.5) during one of his wild attacks, three both will take relatively calculated approach and Ankalev will get decision by points. But since i'm a dreamer Picking JW by TKO/KO early Rd2 (small fun parlay)

Aliskerov vs. Alves
Ikram Aliskerov, SUB, R2
Aliskerov whatever way he wants (BIg Parlay - Aliskerov Ko/TKO/SUb or Dq)

Nurmagomedov vs. Gafurov
Said Nurmagomedov, SUB, R2
Gafurov is a solid striker but I think hes being served on a platter here to Nurmagomedov - (no money)

Elliott vs. Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev, DEC
Personally I think this one will be much closer than stats says, Tim is probably highest level of competition that Mokaev faced in his career, and he's not as dominant as he's being sold, I predict Mokaev by Sub in late (3rd) or by decision (BIg Parlay -moneyline)

Yahya vs. Peek
Trevor Peek, TKO, R2
Yahya not really tested against good level opponents so hard to judge, Peek has this southern state roadside bar brawler vibe in him( and I'm not from the US) he will take shots that would make other fighters hang off their gloves, keep pushing forward and throwing most ridiculous strikes at you, he also has huge technical gaps that hes making up for with heart he leaves in the octagon. Peek by some weird hail mary punch TKO/KO in Rd2 (small parlay)

Basharat vs. Henry
Javid Basharat, DEC
Feel like this one supposed to be home crowd pleaser, probably much closer than Tapology predictions suggest! Javid by decision! (small parlay)

Dumas vs. Azaitar
Sedriques Dumas, DEC
Don't really know about this one, would say Azatair if he would be more active in hes career (over 2 year gaps between each of last 3 fights?!), Dumas seems raw and aggressive enough to win against almost 10yo older and not really active opponent but might be another local crowd favorite type of a fight. Dumas by Decistion (no money)

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli, TKO, R2
Jubli by early KO to warm up home crowd - Jubli KO/TKO (BIg Parlay)

Wood vs. Naimov
Nathaniel Wood, DEC
Not really seeing Naimov being big obstacle for Wood, that being said Wood is not really a finisher so decision after dominant performance - Wood by decision - (no money)

Yu Frey vs. Dudakova
Victoria Dudakova, DEC
low level WMMA - I just choose by record and more attractive lady - Dudakova by decision (no money)

Silva vs. Magomedov
Sharabutdin Magomedov, TKO, R1
Legend already build up around Sharabudtin before he even debuted in UFC - hopefully he stand up to it! Bruno seems mentally retired so should be relatively easy one. Magomedov by KO/TKO R1/earlyR2 (BIg Parlay - Magomedov via TKO/KO)

Ai doing AI things

Predicts every favourite and no true underdog method

I don't really think anyone can actually predict all fights correct this card, I for sure will be following anyone who manages to do it after tomorrow, I feel like parlays especially on main card are close to impossible to predict.

@CrimsonChinGuru 

 go to trash talk with some other smart guy like you I am not here for that

Dude even if kamaru is not lying about nothing having happened in the open work out, it's a pretty well know fact that his knees are completely ******.
 
Walking backwards to get down stairs, walking on the grass because the sidewalk is to painful, doing running training in a pool, his JRE appearance showed so much about how ****** up it is. I just can't possible think that he is going to get a win tomorrow. 

If he wins against Chimaev after so long out of the cage with his body the way it is now.... i will forever praise him as the ultimate savage, that would be some legendary ****. 

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker, DEC
Not the distance

Aliskerov vs. Alves
Ikram Aliskerov, SUB, R1
Not the distance

Yahya vs. Peek
Trevor Peek, TKO, R1
Not the distance

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli, TKO, R1
Not the distance

Silva vs. Magomedov
Bruno Silva, TKO, R2
Not the distance

@VicStrk 

 but how do you know that?😅

Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II
Islam Makhachev, TKO, R2
Islam on a full camp should win Volk elbow worries me

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Magomed Ankalaev, SUB, R2
This gonna be a beat down

Aliskerov vs. Alves
Ikram Aliskerov, DEC
Dec win

Nurmagomedov vs. Gafurov
Said Nurmagomedov, SUB, R2
RNC

Yahya vs. Peek
Trevor Peek, TKO, R2
Peek is a fan favorite and always delivers on action

Basharat vs. Henry
Javid Basharat, DEC
Javid gonna find a way to grind this out

Dumas vs. Azaitar
Sedriques Dumas, TKO, R1
Dumas gonna have a tough 3 mins of wrestling to deal with I think

You definitely are the expert in that so you should know 😉 

Usman has been very vocal about how shot his knees are. Hes got the knees of a senior citizen. It showed a little in the leon trilogy. His wrestling did not look the same

Elliott vs. Mokaev
Tim Elliott, DEC
+300 for Tim Elliott ?

Yahya vs. Peek
Trevor Peek, TKO, R1
Easy pick.

Basharat vs. Henry
Javid Basharat, DEC
Close fight

Dumas vs. Azaitar
Sedriques Dumas, DEC
Two fighters who should not be in the UFC. Dumas wins with cardio and grappling advantage.

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli, TKO, R2
Jubli is better in anywhere. 2.Round G&P finish.

Wood vs. Naimov
Nathaniel Wood, SUB, R2
Wood is much better at striking than Naimov. Also, Naimov's takedown defense is not good, he gives up his back very easily on the ground, and his cardio is poor. I think Naimov's only chance of winning is a lucky punch that catches Wood's chin. I think Nathaniel Wood is gonna win in the second round by rear naked choke.

Silva vs. Magomedov
Sharabutdin Magomedov, TKO, R3
It is a striking matchup. Bruno is a solid striker, he has heavy hands but I think Shara is way more technical than him. Considering Bruno's durability, I am expecting either a third round knockout or a decision win from Shara.