Forget everything Power Slap or Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler TUF, the UFC 284 Predictions are upon us! Set your clocks for Australian time as Perth welcomes the return of the UFC. For those wondering what the Australian (Perth) time to UK (GMT) time is, the Perth clocks are eight hours ahead of GMT.
Alexander Volkanovski moves up to Lightweight for a shot at becoming the UFC’s fifth-ever double champion. Islam Makhachev stands in the way, looking to secure his first title defence since battering Charles Oliveira for the gold. The Dagestani will be without Khabib Nurmagomedov (or Hasbullah) in his corner this time around, though.
The UFC 284 Prelims offers a fine selection of Australian fighters at wildly varying stages of their career. Pintsized’s pick of the fights involves a Women’s Strawweight bout between two striking-minded competitors. Loma Lookboonmee delightfully sharp Muay Thai will have to work inside of Elise Reed’s superior range.
Where is UFC 284 taking place?
The UFC 284 PPV will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on February 12, 2023.
What time does UFC 284 start?
The UFC 284 Main Event is scheduled to start at 10PM ET in the US and 3AM GMT in the UK. The UFC 284 Prelims are scheduled to start at 8PM ET in the US and 1AM GMT in the UK, while the UFC 284 Early Prelims are scheduled to start at 6PM ET in the US and 11PM GMT in the UK.
Where can I watch UFC 284?
The UFC 284 pay-per-view event can be streamed on ESPN+ in the US and BT Sport in the UK. You are advised to use official streams for UFC Vegas 68 and avoid buffstreams, crackstreams or Reddit streams.
UFC 284 Bitesize Predictions
| UFC 284 Odds | UFC 284 Predictions |
|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Odds: (-380) / (+310) | Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski Prediction: Makhachev Decision |
| Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett Odds: (-180) / (+155) | Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett Prediction: Rodriguez Decision |
| Randy Brown vs Jack Della Maddalena Odds: (+260) / (-315) | Randy Brown vs Jack Della Maddalena Prediction: Maddalena TKO Round 3 |
| Justin Tafa vs Parker Porter Odds: (-125) / (+105) | Justin Tafa vs Parker Porter Prediction: Porter Decision |
| Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield Odds: (-190) / (+160) | Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield Prediction: Crute Submission Roud 1 |
| Tyson Pedro vs Modestas Bukauskas Odds: (-240) / (+200) | Tyson Pedro vs Modestas Bukauskas Prediction: Pedro TKO Round 1 |
| Joshua Culibao vs Melsik Baghdasaryan Odds: (-110) / (-110) | Joshua Culibao vs Melsik Baghdasaryan Prediction: Culibao Decision |
| Kleydson Rodrigues vs Shannon Ross Odds: (-320) / (+265) | Kleydson Rodrigues vs Shannon Ross Prediction: Rodrigues Decision |
| Jamie Mullarkey vs Francisco Prado Odds: (-260) / (+220) | Jamie Mullarkey vs Francisco Prado Prediction: Mullarkey TKO Round 2 |
| Jack Jenkins vs Don Shainis Odds: (-345) / (+285) | Jack Jenkins vs Don Shainis Prediction: Jenkins TKO Round 2 |
| Loma Lookboonmee vs Elise Reed Odds: (-285) / (+245) | Loma Lookboonmee vs Elise Reed Prediction: Lookboonmee Decision |
| Blake Bilder vs Shane Young Odds: (+115) / (-135) | Blake Bilder vs Shane Young Prediction: Bilder Decision |
| Zubaira Tukhugov vs Elves Brenner Odds: (-600) / (+450) | Zubaira Tukhugov vs Elves Brenner Prediction: Tukhugov TKO Round 1 |
UFC 284: Main Event Prediction
Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev (23-1) UFC Lightweight Title puts his belt on the line in a P4P ‘double-champ’ showdown with UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski (25-1). The Dagestani rides an 11-fight win streak into Saturday’s contest, having won the title last time out against fan favourite Charles Oliveira. Meanwhile, Volkanovski has time to spare after clearing out the Featherweight division and will look to cement himself surprisingly early as an ATG.
Makhachev will be without Khabib or Hasbullah in his corner for his first title defence – a strange series of events after it emerged midway through his training camp. Regardless, many are banking on Makhachev’s natural size advantage to prove a step too far for the Australian. There is value behind backing a fighter with a 4″ height advantage and a more natural Lightweight frame. Yet, it also fails to gauge the incremental developments in the 31-year-old’s game over his UFC stint. Makhachev can now more comfortably strike over extended exchanges, as well as showcasing a greater penchant for finding finishes on the mat.
Alexander ‘The Great’ earned most of his hype after back-to-back-to-back tactical masterclasses in the Max Holloway trilogy. The 34-year-old also deserves credit for comprehensive beatdowns of Brian Ortega and Korean Zombie. Volkanovski was close to out-striking both fighters by almost 3-1 strikes – an insane statistic when considering early success as a powerful wrestler. Considering Makhachev’s stiff footwork, Volkanovski’s sniping bursts could see the challenger rack up volume while limiting the threat of takedowns. While the Aussie exhibited exceptional submission defence against Ortega, Makhachev is a different beast – physically and technically – on the mat.
Makhachev vs Volkanovski Prediction: Makhachev Decision
UFC 284: Co-Main Event Prediction
Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett
A baffling UFC Interim Featherweight Championship is on the line for #2 Yair Rodriguez (14-3) and #5 Josh Emmett (18-2). Two reasons explain fan frustration with the ‘title’ nature of the affair. Firstly, Rodriguez is entering off a win via injury against Brian Ortega while Emmett arguably lost his last fight on points to Calvin Kattar. More importantly, the current Champion (who has defended his belt four times over two years) has remained active – last defending his Featherweight belt in July 2022.
Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett is a certified banger of a standalone fight, however. El Pantera surprised many when he took Max Holloway to a hard-fought decision over five rounds. Rodriguez showcased his typically electric striking selection. An improved gas tank and chin/heart combination highlighted the mettle of a champion that was missing against Frankie Edgar back in 2017. Rodriguez still struggled in the clinch against Holloway and there is justifiable fear that Emmett can grind the Mexican on the mat.
The 37-year-old ‘all-natural’ Featherweight, Josh Emmett, has emerged as a genuine contender since being sent to the shadow realm by Jeremy Stephens in 2018. Emmett better uses his heavy hands to time opponents onto counters, often using the threat of his takedowns as traps. Unfortunately, the increased confidence on his feet has also seen a drop in his wrestling numbers. CC0 is a brutal G’n’P artist but his last successful takedown came against Shane Burgos in June 2020. If Emmett is forced into a pure striking contest with Rodriguez, the latter’s ability to stamp his mark on rounds has to be favoured.
Rodriguez vs Emmett Prediction: Rodriguez Decision
UFC 284: Main Card Predictions
Randy Brown vs Jack Della Maddalena
Randy Brown (16-4) really deserves a bit more respect on his name ahead of Saturday. Granted, winning 3 of the last 4 fights by decision has offered little for the highlight reels, but Rudeboy appears to have finally overcome the mental lapses that infected his early career. Brown’s 6’3″ frame is outrageous for a Welterweight. Using his jab as a building block, Brown has been able to build combinations at a safe distance against experienced operators in Alex Oliveira, Jared Gooden and Francisco Trinaldo.
Whether Brown owns the power to stop the hulking pressure of Jack Della Maddalena (13-2) is questionable, though. The 26-year-old has iced all three UFC opponents in under a round, including a particularly impressive W over Ramazeen Emeev. Brown is more comfortable on the front foot and we are likely to see both men lock horns in the pocket. Maddalena’s ferocious bodywork and dynamic combinations have to be heavily favoured, but Brown’s clinch work could also cause real issues.
Brown vs Maddalena Prediction: Maddalena TKO Round 3
Justin Tafa vs Parker Porter
It’s not a UFC PPV Main Card without a sloppy Heavyweight brawl. Justin Tafa (5-3) will never be able to scrub away his decision loss to Jared Vanderaa while Parker Porter (13-7) manages to bundle his way through the bottom-of-the-barrel competition. Tafa is an explosive-ish Heavyweight, but his telegraphed bursts are few and far between. Porter represents one of the worst athletes on the roster yet his wrestling will keep Tafa quiet in an ugly affair.
Tafa vs Porter Prediction: Porter Decision
Jimmy Crute vs Alonzo Menifield
Back-to-back first-round losses for Jimmy Crute (12-3) have seen the Aussie fall off the Light Heavyweight map. The 26-year-old is a kill-or-be-killed fighter who will hopefully create enough chaos for Alonzo Menifield (13-3) to open up on the feet. Menifeld entered the UFC as a swarming power-punching menace with a five-minute gas tank. Since then, the 35-year-old has flip-flopped between various approaches on the feet and the mat.
Both men carry phenomenal power and Crute is likely to be buoyed by the crowd into a firefight. If not, the Aussie can always utilise his edge on the mat to prevent a third stoppage loss in a row.
Crute vs Menifeld Prediction: Crute Submission Round 1
UFC 284: Preliminary Card Predictions
Tyson Pedro vs Modestas Bukauskas
Tyson Pedro (9-3) revitalised his career in 2022 with a pair of first-round knockouts over Ike Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker. Albeit, a staggeringly low level of competition. The freshly recalled Modestas Bukaukas (13-5) offers a sensible step-up, though. Bukauskas may have hobbled to a 1-3 record in his past UFC stint but the Lithuanian is an aesthetic offensive striker with a total disregard for defence. This match-up screams dumb fast fun.
Pedro vs Bukauskas Prediction: Pedro TKO Round 1
Joshua Culibao vs Melsik Baghdasaryan
Joshua Culibao (10-1-1) isn’t the snazziest fighter but his efficient foundation of jabs and low kicks has seen him stick around the UFC Featherweight division. The Australian is an exceptionally smart fighter, picking away behind his single shots, but he will meet a physical hurdle eventually. Melsik Baghdasaryan (7-1) sat out the entirety of 2022 after suffering a series of injuries. The Armenian is no spring chicken (31) and the time on the sidelines may have hampered his sharp kickboxing.
Culibao vs Baghdasaryan Prediction: Culibao Decision
Kleydson Rodrigues vs Shannon Ross
Kleydson Rodrigues (7-2) is a freak athlete who really needed a couple more years on the regional scene before making the leap to the UFC. The Brazilian highlighted his powerful hands in his debut against C.J. Vergara but also his naivety off his back which dropped valuable rounds. Shannon Ross (13-6) is an experienced operator but he has earnt his debut off a second-round stoppage loss to Vinicius Salvador. The Australian has shown the ability to control opponents from the top before, but there should be too large a physical gap to matter.
Rodrigues vs Ross Prediction: Rodrigues Decision
Jamie Mullarkey vs Francisco Prado
Undefeated Argentinian, Francisco Prado (11-0), emerges as the last-minute replacement to fight hometown favourite Jamie Mullarkey (15-5). Prado is just 20 years old and has incrementally built a strong record on the regional scene. Unfortunately, Mullarkey represents a giant step up as a fighter who has shared the octagon with the likes of Brad Riddell, Jalin Turner and Michael Johnson. The Australian is well-rounded and durable enough to adapt over the course of a fight, dragging Prado into waters that he has yet to traverse.
Mullarkey vs Prado Prediction: Mullarkey TKO Round 2
Jack Jenkins vs Don Shainis
After ragdolling his opposition on the DWCS, Jack Jenkins (10-2) has a dream debut in front of a partisan crowd. Jenkins is a powerful fridge of a man with a style that should see him ease through entry-level competition in the UFC. His ground game should at least prove enough to overcome Don Shainis (12-4). Shameless often ignores his wrestling in favour of cracking with his heavy hands. Unfortunately, Shainis also runs headfirst into trouble – a fatal flaw at this level.
Jenkins vs Shainis Prediction: Jenkins TKO Round 2
Loma Lookboonmee vs Elise Reed
A rare entertaining striker in the Women’s Strawweight division, Loma Lookboonemee (7-3) returns to the octagon following her dismantling of Denise Gomes. The 27-year-old’s Muay Thai expertise bridges over her slight size. Elise Reed is a solid striker but has shown tendencies to back herself onto the cage, closing the distance for Lookboonmee to exploit.
Lookboonmee vs Reed Prediction: Lookboonmee Decision
Blake Bilder vs Shane Young
A regional-level Featherweight brawl between Blake Bilder (7-0-1) and Shane Young (13-6). Bilder is a solid wrestler who could target Young’s 56% TDD, but he also has a nasty habit of eating big shots. For all his athletic shortcomings, Smokin Shane Young is a powerful kickboxer who has the ability to overwhelm opponents. A toss-up with the American being backed as the fresher fighter.
Bilder vs Young Prediction: Bilder Decision
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Elves Brenner
Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1) is never a safe fighter to back, having dropped careless decision losses to Renato Moicano and Hakeem Dawodu in the past. Tukhugov is a liquid striker and a menace on the mat yet is plagued with mental lapses. Elves Brenner (13-3) has been drafted in a fall guy yet his submission threat on the mat could catch a lackadaisical Tukhugov.
Tukhugov vs Brenner Prediction: Tukhugov TKO Round 1
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