The best UFC betting sites favor the champion in the main event of UFC 294. Charles Oliveira owned Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. This prompted the most vocal fight fans to clamor for “Do Bronx” to get another shot at the UFC lightweight championship.
We have already seen the Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev matchup unfold at UFC 280. Islam went on to win via submission in the second round. But maybe Charles has improved enough to be able to pull off the upset win this time around.
Charles and Islam will be fighting at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21. The early odds at the best online sportsbooks have the Russian as the -334 favorite. A UFC Lightweight Championship rematch pitting current champion Islam Makhachev and former champion Charles Oliveira is slated to headline UFC 294.
The two had previously met at UFC 280 a year before, where Makhachev won the abeyant title in a second-round submission. Former KSW Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Mateusz Gamrot will be expected to serve as a backup fighter and potential replacement in this fight.
UFC 294 Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev Odds by BetOnline
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | +250 |
| Islam Makhachev | -334 |
Betting Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira was in charge in his upset victory against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. The Brazilian took over the center of the ring and immediately pounded Dariush with demolishing high kicks to establish the tone for the bout. In a matter of minutes, “Do Bronx” had Benny cowering and hanging by a thread.
Oliveira has to repeat that take-no-prisoners approach in a potential rematch with Islam. The 34-year-old is by all standards a more dynamic hitter than Makhachev, even though the champ landed some nice left straights at UFC 280.
Charles can absorb those and keep on going. Oliveira met with trouble when the champion began to march him backward. Dagestani brawlers are bound to deplete your energy when they press you against the cage and go for those judo takedowns.
Oliveira ran out of gas. He dropped his hands, and Makhachev plastered him with a hook and went for the submission. Charles will win the rematch if he continuously moves his feet, claims the center of the Octagon, and does his best to keep Makhachev on his toes.
Oliveira will be looking to regain the lightweight title in a rematch with Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294 on October 21st. Makhachev beat Oliveira in their previous encounter at UFC 280 last year.
He became one of the only fighters to be able to submit the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Few think that Oliveira will have a chance to do what he did not do in his first fight with Makhachev. Makhachev’s grappling is top-notch and poses a difficulty that has been hard to solve for every opponent he has ever faced.
Betting Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev, the best betting sites’ favorite, is coming off a championship defense at UFC 284. There, he battled all sorts of hardships against Alexander Volkanovski. Islam would win a close five-round decision in that match; compared to that, a rematch with Charles is almost a holiday.
Grappling provides an unassailable comfort zone for Makhachev in all of his fights. He knows that he is going to be dominant on the mat. At UFC 280, some were worried about how Makhachev would endure Charles’ striking.
Islam put those doubts to rest when he kept things simple. As a leftie, he employed 1-2 combinations. He kept a fast pace when Oliveira stormed in. Oliveira will win if he can overwhelm and confuse his foe. Islam has nerves of steel. Unless he panics, which we don’t see happening, he will be good and ready for the rematch.
Oliveira has the most post-fight bonuses in the history of the promotion. He is the UFC’s all-time submission wins leader. He made Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje tap out in consecutive fights before he lost to Makhachev.
Eleven of Makhachev’s 24 wins have been a result of a submission. The latest came against Oliveira at UFC 280. Wrestling will be a key factor in the outcome of this fight. Bisping thinks it’s crazy to place Oliveira too far ahead of Makhachev.
UFC 294 Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev Pick
Following the win over Dariush, we have jumped on the Charles bandwagon. However, in this spot, we do not foresee a way for him to get the better of Islam. Makhachev rock solid. He can’t be outslugged. Considering Oliveira’s tendency for early stoppages, we bet that Do Bronx gets shot down early again.
