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UFC 293 Odds, Prediction: Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov

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As per the MMA odds, it’s Alexander Volkov who is deemed the favourite, priced at -235 to Tai Tuivasa’s +1170.

UFC 293 - Tai Tuivasa v Alexander Volkov

  • Alexander Volkov -195
  • Tai Tuivasa +145

Tai Tuivasa UFC 293 Odds

Jon Jones is the UFC heavyweight champion and the 30-year-old Tuivasa, from Sydney, is ranked No. 6 in the division and has a 14-5 professional record. After bouncing around a few organizations to start his career, Tuivasa signed with the UFC in 2016 but didn’t debut until about a year later with a first-round KO win (flying knee) over Rashad Coulter.

“Bam Bam” enters on a two-fight losing streak. He was last in the Octagon in December and fell by first-round KO (punches) to Sergei Pavlovich. This will be Tuivasa’s first fight in his hometown since his UFC debut. And if he wins, he will celebrate in the Octagon with a “shoey,” which is chugging beer out of a borrowed shoe.

The 6-foot-2 Tuivasa, a southpaw, has a reach of 75 inches and his fights average only 6:41. He lands 4.10 significant strikes per minute with 49 per cent accuracy and absorbs 4.46 with 45 per cent defence. His takedown average is literally zero per 15 minutes, and his takedown defence is 52 per cent. This fight will be contested standing up.

Tuivasa has earned all but one of his victories by stoppage (all KO/TKO) and has finished each of his seven UFC wins by knockout. He and Fabricio Werdum are the only UFC heavyweights to ever win a bout with a flying knee. Tuivasa is also one of four heavyweights in UFC history to earn knockouts from a knee and an elbow strike along with Alistair Overeem, Cheick Kongo and Justin Willis.

For Saturday, his favoured method of victory is by KO/TKO/DQ at +240, followed by decision at +900 and submission at +2000. A draw is +5100.

Alexander Volkov UFC 293 Odds

Volkov, 36, is from Moscow and ranked No. 7 in division with a career record of 36-10. He has been fighting professionally for 14 years and was a former heavyweight champion in the M-1 Global promotion and Bellator. His UFC debut didn’t come until 2016 when he beat Tim Johnson by split decision. Volkov hasn’t gotten a UFC title shot but does have a loss on his resume to former UFC champion and current No. 1 contender Ciryl Gane.

“Drago” enters on a two-fight winning streak and was last in the Octagon in March and finished Alexander Romanov by first-round TKO (punches). It was the third straight Volkov fight to end in Round 1.  Volkov is more of a lanky kickboxer type who uses his length to beat opponents from outside instead of getting in close where he can be hurt.

The 6-foot-7 Volkov has a reach of 80 inches and his fights average 12:54. He lands 4.89 significant strikes per minute with 57 per cent accuracy and absorbs 3.00 with  53 per cent defence. His takedown average is 0.51 per 15 minutes with 70 per cent accuracy, and his takedown defence is 73 per cent.

“He’s very tall, he’s very strong but his chin is not as strong as it needs to be against me. He better get me before I get him. I see myself winning UFC 293 Bam Bam style. A nice big knockout and a shoey on top of the cage for Sydney and for Australia,” Tuivasa said on a UFC 293 promo video.

Volkov has 24 wins by KO/TKO, nine by decision and three by submission. For Saturday, his favoured method of victory is KO/TKO/DQ at -105, followed by decision at +330 and submission at +1100.

The over-under for the scheduled three-rounder is only 1.5 rounds with both at -115. That it goes the distance is +250 with on at -401.

UFC 293: Tuivasa vs. Volkov Prediction

Volkov -105 by KO/TKO/DQ (although a sprinkle/hedge on +250 go to the distance is worth it)