Islam Makhachev says he doesn't mind that his opponent, Alexander Volkanovski, is getting the bulk of the attention ahead of their clash in the main event of UFC 284 on Saturday night. Their five-round title fight, with Makhachev;s lightweight title at stake, headlines the main UFC 284 fight card (10 p.m. ET) from RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Volkanovski is an Australian who will be headlining on his home turf for the first time who is seeking to become a rare two-division champion. The featherweight king has long been popular among fans and media because of his gregarious nature outside of the cage, and he has received the majority of the press this week. But the understated Makhachev, who is making his first title defense, told the media he's fine with the imbalance of attention because it allows him to focus on the task at hand.
Makhachev is a -440 favorite (risk $440 to win $100), while Volkanovski is priced at +335 (risk $100 to win $335) in the latest UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, featherweight contenders meet for the interim title as Yair Rodriguez (-165) takes on Josh Emmett (+140). Before locking in any UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski picks, make sure you see the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his winners included telling SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) over Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski in sight, Vithlani has scoured the card top to bottom for value and released his top MMA picks. You can only see who to back at SportsLine.
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski preview
The main event of UFC 284 is essentially a super fight between the top two fighters in the promotion's pound-for-pound rankings. Some observers might be surprised to learn the top spot is held by Volkanovski, who has yet to reach the level of stardom enjoyed by other champions.
But his dominance can't be denied, and a win Saturday should cement his place as the sport's dominant current star. Volkanovski (25-1) is 12-0 in the UFC, and the former professional rugby player worked his way up through perhaps the most talent-rich division in the promotion.
To this point, the 34-year-old's signature accomplishment is a 3-0 sweep against popular former champion Max Holloway, who many MMA analysts believed would be a long-term champion. Volkanovski won a unanimous decision to take the belt from Holloway at UFC 245 in December 2019. A razor-thin win by split decision in the rematch eight months later prompted a rare trilogy, but the featherweight champion left no doubt with a lopsided decision win over Holloway at UFC 276 last July.
He's stepping up for a massive challenge against Makhachev (23-1), who was widely hailed as a potential future champion when he joined the UFC in May 2015. The 31-year-old prodigy is a pupil of countryman Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired as lightweight champion with a 29-0 record after beating Justin Gaethje in October 2020.
Makhachev's rise was halted by a methodical approach to facing top-tier competition, and pandemic-related travel restrictions contributed to an 18-month hiatus from action. But the Russian realized his potential with a signature win over Oliveira, who had won 11 consecutive fights. You can see who Vithlani is backing at SportsLine.
Top UFC 284 picks
We'll share one of Vithlani's predictions here: He is siding with Randy Brown (+260) to pull the upset of Jack Della Maddalena (-335) in a matchup of powerful welterweights on the main card.
Brown (16-4) is a seven-year UFC veteran who has yet to crack the top-15 rankings despite winning six of his past seven fights. The 32-year-old New Yorker has a versatile repertoire, but is best known for his length and power in the stand-up game. He has six knockouts and five submissions on his record.
Maddalena (13-2) is a power puncher who has 11 stoppages among his 13 victories. The 26-year-old Australian brawler has fast become one of the division's hottest prospects behind first-round knockouts in each of his first three UFC outings. He has received back-to-back performance bonuses.
"Brown's boxing is elusive and rangy, using slick footwork and head movement. Maddalena is technical and will likely land power punches at some point," Vithlani told SportsLine. "However, Brown has been training with rugged wrestler Sean Brady in this camp. His Jiu-Jitsu is already sneaky good and, if he comes to wrestle and mix it up, I think he has a path to victory." You can see more picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 284 picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Makhachev vs. Volkanovski and every other bout on the UFC 284 card. He's also backing a fighter who "might have the best kicking game in the UFC" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski? And how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 284, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC 284 odds, fight card
See full UFC 284 picks, predictions, best bets here.
Islam Makhachev (-440) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (+335)
Yair Rodriguez (-165) vs. Josh Emmett (+140)
Jack Della Maddalena (-335) vs. Randy Brown (+260)
Jim Crute (-195) vs. Alonzo Menifield (+165)
Kleydson Rodrigues (-320) vs. Shannon Ross (+250)
Joshua Culibao (-115) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (-105)
Shane Young (-130) vs. Blake Bilder (+110)
Loma Lookboonmee (-270) vs. Elise Reed (+220)
Jack Jenkins (-335) vs. Don Shainis (+260)
Justin Tafa (-135) vs. Parker Porter (+115)
Jamie Mullarkey (-260) vs. Francisco Prado (+210)
Tyson Pedro (-260) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (+210)
