UFC 294 Odds, Pick & Prediction for Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves 3 Juicy Bets (Saturday, October 21)

Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves OddsAliskerov Odds-675Alves Odds+490Over/Under1.5 (+140 / -180)VenueEtihad Arena in Abu DhabiTime2:30 p.m. ETChannelESPN+ PPVOdds as of Saturday afternoon and via DraftKings. Make your UFC 294 bets with our DraftKings promo code.

Saturday's second bout on the UFC 294 main card features middleweights Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves.

Aliskerov is the fight card's biggest favorite. The Contender Series vet now carries a six-fight winning streak into his bout with Alves, who's a decade-long UFC fighter who moves from welterweight back to his original middleweight division.

Let's break down Aliskerov vs Alves at UFC 294.

Tale of the TapeAliskerovAlvesRecord14-115-6Avg. Fight Time2:1010:09Height6'0"5'11"Weight186 pounds185.5 poundsReach76 inches72 inchesStanceSouthpawOrthodoxDate of birth12/7/19921/4/1991Sig Strikes Per Minute6.253.21SS Accuracy60G%SS Absorbed Per Minute7.884.09SS Defense40Q%Take Down Avg3.471.37TD Acc33P%TD Def0P%Submission Avg3.50.9

Aliskerov, a 30-year-old Russian whose only career loss is a brutal knockout at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev, will fight short-notice replacement Alves.

Alves, a true welterweight, is moving up a division in place of Nassourdine Imavov, and perhaps cutting less weight will help his cardio.

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Alves is typically a problem for opponents in the first round before fading drastically when his opponents turn the tide. Three of his past four losses have come in Round 2.

While Alves typically has strong takedown defense and carries power in his hands, I wonder if those attributes will translate as well with the 15-pound jump from welterweight to middleweight, as it might go from 135 to 145. He's also at a four-inch reach disadvantage.

Aliskerov vs Alves Pick

Alves may be the faster man early, but as that gap closes when he tires in the second round, Aliskerov should start to take over and eventually put him away.

As a result, I would wait to bet Aliskerov until live after Round 1; you may get a significantly better number than his pre-fight moneyline.

Additionally, look to bet Aliserov to win in Round 2 (+450) and/or Round 3 (+1100), down to +300 and +900, respectively; the cardio dynamic in almost any Alves fight makes his opponent's late-round props appealing.

The Picks:

Ikram Aliskerov wins in Round 2 (+450, 0.15u) at DraftKingsIkram Aliskerov wins in Round 3 (+1100, 0.1u) at DraftKingsIkram Aliskerov Live after Round 1The must-have app for UFC bettorsThe best UFC betting scoreboardFree picks from proven prosLive win probabilities for your betsDOWNLOAD NOW