Preview: UFC 294 ‘Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2’

Bantamweights

Said Nurmagomedov (17-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Muin Gafurov (18-5, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-225), Gafurov (+185)

Bantamweight remains such a shark tank that it is hard to find a path for Nurmagomedov to get to the title, but he should continue to put together a strong campaign even after his most recent loss. Of no blood relation to Khabib Nurmagomedov and his family, he fits into the more striking-heavy contingent of Dagestani fighters, preferring to use his typical height and speed advantage to keep opponents at bay with quick and flashy techniques. If needed, Nurmagomedov can hold his own in close quarters. He is a solid wrestler with some impressive grappling tricks, most notably a guillotine choke that he used to dispatch Cody Stamann and Saidyokub Kakhramonov in 2022. However, Nurmagomedov’s relative inactivity in terms of volume does leave opponents a lot of exploitable gaps, which Jonathan Martinez used to his benefit in March. It was a narrow win, but Martinez managed to put together a neutralizing fight that eked out two rounds and earned him the decision. Gafurov makes for an interesting bounce-back opponent, even if Nurmagomedov looks like a tricky test for the Tajik. Gafurov’s two fights under the Endeavor promotional banner—a Dana White’s Contender Series loss to Chad Anheliger in 2021 and an unsuccessful UFC debut in June—show the positives and negatives of his game. He has his own flashy striking game backed up with powerful wrestling, but he tends to tire against opponents he is unable to control. Gafurov should be able to make a lot of hay early with his wrestling, but it is difficult to see him outlasting Nurmagomedov. This could wind up looking like the Kakhramonov fight, where Nurmagomedov scored a sudden submission comeback, except with an opponent much more prone to slowing down late. The pick is Nurmagomedov via third-round submission.

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Makhachev vs. Volkanovski
Chimaev vs. Usman
Ankalaev vs. Walker
Aliskerov vs. Alves
Nurmagomedov vs. Gafurov
The Prelims