UFC 254: Possibly the biggest fight ever without relying on trash talk, Predictions and Current Odds

Today is a big day for Combat Sports fans as it's time, for the final Fight Island event. We started Fight Island back in July with a big pay per view, and we end it today with another big pay per view. It must be said however that there is no guarantee that will not see Fight Island again in the future. For now, UFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje will mark the end of this run on Fight Island as the UFC heads back to the Apex in Las Vegas next weekend.

Today's UFC 254 pay per view is trending, according to Dana White, to be one of the biggest fights ever. It's crazy that such a big pay per view is built on just the athletes themselves, no trash talk at all has been exchanged between Khabib and Justin Gaethje. It is quite nice to see that respectful athletes can become big stars in the sport, and that the biggest events do no always need to be built on bad blood and trash talk. Khabib simply has what Justin wants, the lightweight championship of the world. Gaethje has gone so far to say he doesn't even want his belt, as he gave it away to his coaches after he won his interim belt against Tony Ferguson back in May.

Also don't forget, this event has a special time so that it can be in prime time for those watching in Abu Dhabi. This means that the Fight Pass Prelims start at 11 AM Eastern time, with the main card starting at 2. I might not get this article posted right before the first fight, but it will be posted as soon as I can. This special early time is a welcome change for those watching in the UK and Europe as the main card starts at 7 PM their time, instead of the normal 2 AM start time. Yes, a normal UFC pay per view, starts at 2 AM for those fans watching in England. Here in Toronto, the pay per view is always done before 2 AM, I could not imagine staying up until then to wait for the start of a card. (Although I have done before for times like various international events the UFC has done, or to watch Rizin). Also, it's a 6 fight main card today!

Main Card: (2 PM Eastern)

Main Event:

In the main event, undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov defends his title against one of the most exciting fighters today in knockout artist Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje. After Khabib vs Tony Ferguson was cancelled for the 646846846th time, Gaethje stepped in to face Tony Ferguson on short notice for the interim title. Gaethje dominated Tony standing up for the duration of the fight getting a late fight TKO stoppage. Khabib is usually the favourite when he fights, due to his incredibly strong grappling skills and the way he has dominated past opponents. However some fans are putting money on Gaethje to win inside the distance with his constant pressure and powerful striking skills. I would not be too surprised if Gaethje is able to get it done by catching Khabib on his way in. Crazier things have happened, especially now in 2020. Is this something my bet would be on though? No, not at all. While much has been made about Gaethje's wrestling background, he hasn't really been tested in the Octagon in terms of grappling. And as many people say, there's levels to this. Dustin Poirier, Khabib's last opponent was surprised by Khabib's strength. I think Dustin Poirier had a better chance to beat Khabib with his submission skills. As evident in that guillotine choke Poirier had locked in. I think despite Gaethje's constant pressure, Khabib will be able to control the range of the fight, shooting for takedowns or getting into the clinch to be able to get Gaethje against the fence, to work his normal fence takedowns from there. Then the fight will look like just another typical Khabib fight with lots of Smesh. I think Khabib will be able to get the ground and pound TKO finish in the fourth round.

Current Odds:

Khabib to win: +285

Khabib by KO/TKO: +360

Khabib in round 4: +585

Co-Main Event:

The co-main event features a ranked middleweight bout that will likely determine the next challenger for Israel Adesanya. Former champion, Robert Whittaker, who Adesanya defeated to win the title, will be facing #2 ranked Jared Cannonier. Cannonier is one of few UFC fighters to fight (and win) in three different weight classes. He went 1-1 at heavyweight, 3-3 at light heavyweight, and is currently 3-0 at middleweight. His three losses at light heavyweight are only to top level competition; the two men that just fought for the vacant title, as well Glover Teixeira. Cannonier actually took current light heavyweight champ, Jan Blachowicz to the distance, in a fight I was in attendance for in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Since then, Cannonier is 3-0 at middleweight with wins coming over Dave Branch, Anderson Silva, and Jack Hermansson. With a win tonight, he would absolutely cement himself as the number one contender and earn the next shot at Adesanya. On the other side, is former champ Robert Whittaker, who since losing the title to Adesanya went on to defeat Darren Till by decision in a Fight Island main event at the end of July. Prior to the Adesanya loss, Whittaker was undefeated dating back to a 2014 loss at welterweight against Wonderboy, Stephen Thompson. If Whittaker can get his second win after losing the title, over the surging #2 ranked Cannonier, that would likely be enough for Whittaker to get a shot at redemption against champion Israel Adesanya.

Walt Harris vs Alexander Volkov:

A heavyweight battle between middle ranked fighters as my #6 ranked Alexander Volkov takes on my #8 ranked Walt Harris. Both fighters are coming off a loss, but are both still big names in the heavyweight division.

Prediction: Walt Harris by KO/TKO in round 2.

Current Odds:

Harris to win: +150

Harris by KO/TKO: +200

Harris in round 2: +800

Phil Hawes vs Jacob Malkoun:

Prediction: Hawes by KO/TKO in round 2.

Current Odds:

Hawes to win: -260

Hawes by KO/TKO: -110

Hawes in round 2: +445

Lauren Murphy vs Liliya Shakirova:

Prediction: Murphy by decision.

Current Odds:

Murphy to win: -245

Murphy by decision: -120

Ion Cutelaba vs Magomed Ankalaev rematch:

Prediction: Ankalaev by KO/TKO in round 1.

Current Odds:

Ankalaev to win: -395

Ankalaev by KO/TKO: -110

Ankalaev in round 1: +220

Prelims: (12 PM Eastern)

Stefan Struve vs Tai Tuivasa:

Prediction: Tuivasa by KO/TKO in round 1

Current Odds:

Tuivasa to win: -155

Tuivasa by KO/TKO: +140

Tuivasa in round 1: +320

Nathan Wood vs Casey Kenney:

Prediction: Kenney by KO/TKO in round 3

Current Odds:

Kenney to win: -155

Kenney by KO/TKO: +560

Kenney in round 3: +1400

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Alex Oliveira:

Prediction: Rakhmonov by KO/TKO in round 2.

Current Odds:

Rakhmonov to win: -140

Rakhmonov by KO/TKO: +385

Rakhmonov in round 2: +900

Since this fight has passed before I could get this article posted, I will post my predictions as well as the results of the first three fights. (You can check out my twitter @TheCombatSports if you want proof I made these predictions before the fights).

Da Un Jung vs Sam Alvey:

Prediction: Da Un Jung by KO/KO in round 2.

Current Odds:

Da Un Jung to win: -390

Da Un Jung by KO/TKO: -145

Da Un Jung in round 2: +350

Results: Da Un Jung vs Sam Alvey declared as a split draw. The judges score cards read as 29-28, 28-29, and 28-28. Da Un Jung dropped Sam Alvey twice by landing some big elbows in the final round. I would have scored it as a 28-28 draw myself with Alvey winning the first two, and Da Un Jung getting a 10-8 in the last round.

Fight Pass Prelims (11 AM Eastern)

Liana Jojua vs Miranda Maverick:

Prediction: Maverick by decision.

Current Odds:

Maverick to win: -480

Maverick by decision: +180

Results: Miranda Maverick defeats Liana Jojua by doctor stoppage at the end of round 1. (Maverick landed a big elbow that caused a nasty cut of Jojua's nose).

Joel Alvarez vs Alexander Yakovlev:

Prediction: Alvarez by submission in round 1.

Current Odds:

Joel Alvarez to win: -185

Joel Alvarez by submission: +120

Joel Alvarez in round 1: +275

Results: Joel Alvarez defeats Alexander Yakovlev by submission in round 1. Alvarez had a tight guillotine that almost got the tap, but Yakovlev was able to get out. Alvarez was then able to lock up an arm bar from the bottom to get the tap.