UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

 I lost everything I typed and I am not typing all that again so I am going to be brief

1. Elliott vs Mokaev
Elliott is a vet. Mokaev is raw with lots of holes in his game including poor top control, questionable cardio and takedown and submission defense. On the feet I think Elliott is the better striker. This could be close and potentially a parlay buster. Bet with caution. I am going to take a flier on the vet with good wrestling, scrambles and striking in light of Mokaev's recent leg injury -Pick - Elliott by decision

2. Peek vs Yahya
I think Peek is better than people are giving him credit for and he is improving. He has good scrambles, cardio and wild but powerful striking. I think he starches Yahya -Pick - Peek by KO

3. Basharat vs Henry
Henry is inconsistent but skilled and has good takedown defense and striking volume. However I think Basharat will find a way to take him down and his forward pressure with the threat of takedowns will likely limit Henry's volume on the feet. I feel he gets the takedowns and controls at least 2 rounds, but this could be close. The odds are crazy.Pick - Basharat by split decision

4. Dumas vs Azaitar
Two terrible fighters. I was listening to some podcasts today and could not believe how many people were picking Dumas because of his grappling upside. Grappling upside? Am I crazy or am I missing something here? I actually think Azaitar is the more skilled and experienced fighter, and he will be fully juiced with Potato Power. His age and cardio does concern me and he could quit if under pressure but I somehow do not feel that they are flying in one of the worst fighters in the UFC all the way to the UAE to beat the King of Morocco's favourite. No confidence here -Pick - Azaitar by decision

5. Breeden vs Jubli
Jubli is a ridiculously heavy favourite. Are we really that sure he is that good? He has only fought cans and yes he looks ok, not great, ok. But his level of competition? Terrible. And sure Breeden is not really UFC level but is he at the level of Jubli's other wins? I don't know but I would be very careful with this fight. I think it could go to decision. I am picking Jubli but with little confidence -Pick - Jubli by decision

6. Wood vs Naimov
Wood is at a size disadvantage but at a skill and speed advantage. I think his chin is not as bad as people are making out, but at the new weight class this could be a problem against someone with power like Naimov. That said I think Wood basically picks him apart, takes him down and finishes him. Again a difficult fight to bet on because of the concerns that Naimov could catch him with something. The fight does not go the distance could be a good bet.Pick - Wood by submission

7. Dudakova vs Frey
I think Frey is only in the UFC to feed to prospects at this stage. Could Dudakova get exposed at some stage? Sure but I don't think this is it. I think she gets the takedowns and gets the submission- Pick - Dudakova by sub

8. Magomedov vs Silva
Magomedov looks good. But he has one eye which will mess with his distance and depth perception. He also seems very reliant on kicks whereas Silva is a good boxer. I think while Magomedov is the rightful favourite this could go badly for him as Silva is good. I don't trust Silva further than I could throw him though, and I am very suspicious of his fight with GM3, I think that was a very very dodgy performance and would not put it past him to have a similar one against the new flavour of the week. I think this fight could easily hit round 2 or over a round and a half, especially if Silva grapples. I think Magomedov wins though, but I am being very careful betting this fight -Pick - Magomedov by late KO/Decision


 

Elliott vs. Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev, DEC
I think this is a very good step up for Mokaev. I won't be surprised if this is the most competitive fight in his UFC career either as Elliott has been in with the best in the division while Mokaev has been facing some good opposition he has yet to face an actual well-rounded UFC veteran.

The most UFC-tested fighter he has faced has been Malcolm Gordon and he was 2-2 at the time Elliot is 8-10 in the promotion but that's 18 fights fighting the best the UFC has to offer.

I still believe that Mokaev is a good prospect he has shown enough to put himself out of the hype category however he still makes mistakes that a fighter like Elliott could take advantage of.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 3:32 AM ET *

Alright no better fight week than this week to start a tapology parlay...

Now i've taken the liberty to choose the first 4 people to take part. 

@el222 

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@AyyLmaonnaise 

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@DamienHandel420 

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@Vandal 

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Some top ufc ranked handicappers here, hope people like the idea! Bit of fun and could even be fairly profitable  👀👀

Mokaev sparred with Pantoja without conceding to him and he highly appreciated his level and said that there were good chances to become a champion.
Chimaev easy beat and sub Strikland on sparring.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 4:35 AM ET *

Please can someone give me a better image of this fight? 

I only ever saw Dumas's UFC debut when he basically **** the bed against Josh Fremd (which I voted for with the rest of the 9% on tapology #NeverForgetJosh) ever since then I didn't really keep track of him however since then he has picked up a win. 

Abu Azaitar seems way more experienced however he is coming off a lengthy layoff but has faced opponents similar to Dumas before. 

I want to go with Abu Azaitar but I don't know enough about him and if Dumas actually improved since his debut loss. 

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 5:34 AM ET *

Breeden, Dudakova missed weight

@Vandal 

Apparently he missed by 4 pounds which is crazy. 
Second time in his UFC run that he has missed weight Dana finna fire him out a cannon at this point. 

Looks like he has nothing to lose, still I'm struggling to pick Jubli by ko lol, just not used to "fighters from India"

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 6:04 AM ET *

Dudakova stopped cutting at like .6 over?? Wow ***.

Dudakova and Breeden are forfeiting 20% and 30% of their purse respectively, which go to their opponents as penalty for missing weight.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 12:22 PM ET *

Jubli accepted the fight, still haven't seen fight confirmed to be happening.

Last I heard Breeden was needing to be medically cleared still. 

@Byakuya Kuchiki 

Azaitar is actually a pretty solid fighter or at least he used to be, as he's only fought twice in the past 7 years, which is crazy if you consider that even Conor fought twice as much in the same time period. Also he didn't look as good as he used to in his last fight which he lost really bad (besides the first round) against Barriault who was 0-3 (1 NC) in the UFC at that point and he is 1-1 in the UFC overall.
Can't say much about Dumas tbh as I didn't really follow his career but his numbers look solid and he's been pretty active. Would be happy for Abu if he'd pull it off but I think he's just been way too inactive to beat a hungry young guy like Dumas.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 7:03 AM ET *

So dudakova and Breeden missed weight ? What's the big deal ?

One thing i learned after the last ufc card is that you can do that a few times if you want to. Trade in a percentage of your purse to get a advantage in the fight if you care more about winning and getting closer to the title than money right now.
 
4 pounds over the limit ? Stopped cutting weight super early and saved yourself for the fight ? No problem if you just don't do it to much and let's hope that your opponent still wants to fight you.
 
Christian rodriguez missed weight 3 out of his last 7 fights, 2 times in a row in the last 2 fights. The last card he was 5 pounds over weight, won his fight, still progressing in the ufc, no problem.

* Edited at 10.20.2023, 7:30 AM ET *

@GoatChael 

Thanks and also Tito did tap we all saw it. 

how has anyone lost to mike breeden there cant be an athletic bone in their body

@UFC_1 

Tsuruya has sparred with Mokaev and apparently dominated him. Just because they have sparred doesnt really mean anything

How can you pick Azaitar when he is absolutely inactive

Breeden does construction work when he’s not fighting. Bum is going to sleep 

Makhachev vs. Volkanovski II
Islam Makhachev, DEC
Islam isn't subbing or knocking Alex out. If Ortega didn't put Volk out in that triangle then nobody is doing it. Islam should win but this fight will be super close and so hard to call. Let's go Volk.

Usman vs. Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev, TKO, R1
Chimaev early ground and pound win. I want Usman to win but I think he ragdolls Usman. Hope I'm wrong.

Ankalaev vs. Walker
Johnny Walker, TKO, R1
Walker is gonna go crazy in round 1 like he used to do and Ankalaev won't wrestle and he will get clipped. Ankalaev can make this look easy but of course he won't. Gotta take a shot on Johnny with my pick.

Aliskerov vs. Alves
Ikram Aliskerov, SUB, R2
Alves will gas out because his cardio is awful and he's coming in on short notice. I truly think Aliskerov is the real deal. His knockout of Phil Hawes was insane.

Nurmagomedov vs. Gafurov
Said Nurmagomedov, DEC
Gafurov isn't that good and Said will beat him up anyway he wants.

Elliott vs. Mokaev
Muhammad Mokaev, DEC
I think Tim will be good enough defensively to not get submitted and I think this fight is gonna be way closer than expected but I lean Mokaev

Yahya vs. Peek
Trevor Peek, TKO, R1
Yahya is terrible. Peak has awful MMA skills but his striking is wild and he's gonna KO Mohammad.

Basharat vs. Henry
Javid Basharat, DEC
This fight will be closer than people expect because it's super hard to finish Henry and he's a dog. Henry will lose but stay safe from subs.

Dumas vs. Azaitar
Sedriques Dumas, TKO, R1
Dumas will get in his face early and knock him out.

Jubli vs. Breeden
Anshul Jubli, TKO, R1
I've never picked Breeden in a UFC fight and I'm still not picking him here. Jubli should roll.

Wood vs. Naimov
Nathaniel Wood, DEC
Wood is way better but Naimov has that fight ending power. I do think Wood can make this look easy if he stays out of the way of the power shots.

Yu Frey vs. Dudakova
Victoria Dudakova, DEC
Dudakova will win a dominant decision with her wrestling. Frey is on her way out but a good test for Victoria.

Silva vs. Magomedov
Sharabutdin Magomedov, TKO, R2
I was gonna pick Silva to win just because he has tons of experience in and outside of the UFC but I can't. Silva is way too inconsistent and I think Magomedov is gonna hurt him with kicks to the body early and then finish him with a huge punch shortly after. Silva is a dog though and if he's on his game then I wouldn't be shocked at an upset.

Agree with everything but Walker. Guy couldn't finish a broken Anthony Smith. He's too gunshy anymore.