The UFC is set for a massive PPV card from Perth, Australia this Saturday night. In the Main Event of UFC 284 the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world will collide as 145-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski (24-1) will move up in weight to challenge for Islam Makhachev’s (23-1) Lightweight title. Since winning the Featherweight championship in 2019 Volkanovski has made four straight title defenses. Makhachev has won 11 fights in a row and is looking to make his first title defense since dethroning Charles Olivera.

In the Co-main event devastating Mexican-born striker Yair Rodriguez (14-3) will face surging contender Josh Emmett (18-2) for the Vacant Featherweight championship. The winner of this fight will face Volkanovski if he loses Saturday and returns to the division. Also, on the UFC 284 main card highly touted prospect Jack Della Maddalena will make his return after going (3-0) in 2022. Maddalena will be facing UFC veteran Randy Brown, whose blend of kickboxing and top-level Jiu-Jitsu makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone at 170 pounds.

(C) Islam Makhachev (23-1) vs (C) Alexander Volkanovski (24-1)

The main event of UFC 284 is one of the most anticipated title fights in UFC history. Only six Champion vs Champion matchups has ever been made in the promotion. Makhachev is arguably the most dominant fighter in the sport today and is the star pupil of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov. Volkanovski has cleaned out the Featherweight division after dominating his trilogy fight against Max Holloway and will be fighting in his native country of Australia. In Volkanovski’s most recent fight, he put on a one-sided performance against Chan Sung Jung resulting in “The Korean Zombie” losing by TKO.

This is a very interesting matchup stylistically, but Makhachev will have a significant size advantage. Makhachev (5’10) will have four inches on Volkanovski in height and will be significantly stronger. This could play into the crushing top game of Makhachev who has controlled and punished his opponents on the ground in recent contests. Although Volkanovski has shown good takedown defense at 145 pounds he will need to have a game plan in case the fight does go to the ground. Volkanovski must keep this fight standing where he may have a striking advantage. Volkanovski is a compact but powerful athlete that has improved dramatically in his striking. In the past, Volkanovski has found success against strong grapplers knocking out former title challenger Chad Mendes in 2018. Currently, Makhachev is a (-400) favorite at online sportsbooks.

Prediction

My prediction for this fight is that Islam Makhachev will be able to control Volkanovski on the ground and win a decision victory. Makhachev may have trouble with Volkanovski in the striking early. Volkanovski is known for being a fast starter and may try and surprise Islam by being overly aggressive. I do not think that either fighter will be able to finish the other. Volkanovski escaped from incredibly tight submissions against Brian Ortega. Ortega is one of the best submission specialists in the UFC and has trained with the Gracie family since was a child. If Volkanovski can escape the slick submissions of Ortega I do not see him getting submitted in this matchup.

#1 Yair Rodriguez (14-3) vs #5 Josh Emmett (18-2)

In the Co-main event of UFC 284 creative striker Yair Rodriguez will face former college wrestler Josh Emmett for the Interim Featherweight Championship. Rodriguez is coming off a victory against Brian Ortega. In that fight, Ortega’s shoulder popped out of the socket during an armbar. Rodriguez is extremely well-rounded and can finish fights with knockouts and submissions. Emmett trains out of the highly respected Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California. Coaching Emmett at Team Alpha male is former UFC title contender and WEC champion Uriah Faber. In Emmett’s last fight, he won a decision against ranked Featherweight Calvin Kattar.

Josh Emmett was a college wrestler at the NAIA level and is very physically strong for 145 pounds. Emmett has also shown tremendous punching power on his five-fight win streak. Although he is not one-dimensional, Emmett will need to take this fight to the ground. This is because Rodriguez is one of the most unpredictable strikers in Featherweight history. Rodriguez has won seven performance bonuses in his nine UFC wins. This fight is currently trending at very close odds with Rodriguez as a (-190) favorite.

This is going to be a highly competitive title fight that could end in finish. Emmett has only been the five-round distance once in his career and will have to exert a significant amount of energy to hold Yair Rodriguez down. Emmett may very well have the wrestling credentials to do just that. I believe Emmett will have a tougher time on the ground then he thinks. Rodriguez might get the job done in this matchup late. Emmett is very competitive and tough but may fade as the fight goes on. This could open up striking opportunities for Rodriguez in rounds four and five.

Jack Della Maddalena (13-2) vs Randy Brown (16-4)

A compelling matchup of unranked welterweight prospects is set for the third fight of UFC 284’s main card. Australian Jack Della Maddalena busted onto the UFC scene in 2022 with three straight knockout finishes. Maddalena recently knocked out Britain’s Danny Roberts in his last fight winning a performance bonus. Randy Brown (32 years old) is in the prime of his career and has been fighting in the UFC since 2016. Brown is a lengthy southpaw kickboxer who has won six of his last seven. The Jamaican-born Brown is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has three submission victories in the UFC.

This fight should be a fan-friendly striking affair with both fighters looking to establish control of the cage early. Maddalena has taken an aggressive approach in recent fights pressuring opponents to the cage. Brown is comfortable fighting off the back foot, using his elite speed and movement to counter opponents rushing in. Currently, Maddalena is a massive favorite at (-330) which raises eyebrows for some hardcore UFC fans. While Maddalena is an impressive prospect he only has four career UFC fights. Brown has fought topflight competition and holds stoppage wins over notable opponents Bryan Barberena, Alex Oliveria, and Walley Alves.

UFC 284 Prelims

The UFC 284 prelims are set with a couple of fun fights. Jimmy Crute (12-3) will be fighting in his home country against Alonzo Menifield (13-3). This is a matchup of two aggressive Light Heavyweights that look to finish fights early. Menefield is coming off a knockout win against Misha Cirkunov. Crute recently suffered a setback in his fight with current Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill and will be looking to get back on track with a win here. Also on the prelims, Tyson Pedro (9-3) returns to the octagon against Modestas Bukaukas (13-5). Pedro is extremely athletic for 205 pounds and has knocked out his last two opponents.

This massive UFC PPV card will be held in Perth, Australia. The prelims will start at 6 p.m. with the main card becoming available at 9 p.m.

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