Alexander Volkanovski has locked in his predictions for Saturday’s stacked UFC 299 main card.
On his YouTube channel, the former featherweight champion provided an overview of what he believes will happen in each fight in Miami, Florida.
UFC Featherweight Alexander Volkanovski Predicts UFC 299 Winners
Topping the bill, Sean O’Malley will make his first title defense against Marlon Vera. The current bantamweight champion only has one loss on his record, courtesy of ‘Chito’, and he has a chance to right that wrong on Saturday.
Volkanovski’s pick: Sean O’Malley via KO/TKO
He said: “On paper, and what I’ve seen, who do I lean towards? I lean towards Sean O’Malley. Pretty comfortably, I’d say that.
“But then you look, they’ve already fought, right. So you’ve got to give that respect where Chito [Vera] has already beat him. Do I feel like he could do the same things to Sean [O’Malley]? I think it’s going to be hard.
“[Sean O’Malley’s] shot selection, his variety in strikes, angles, distance management, his eye, all of that is top notch. Very, very high level.
“I think [O’Malley’s] striking is going to be too much. I know Chito [Vera] is going to want to keep it standing. I think Chito [Vera] has to keep it standing because Sean O’Malley is even dangerous on the ground.” Alexander Volkanovski said.
Alexander Volkanovski Predicts Dustin Poirier V Benoit Saint Denis
Another fighter looking to bounce back is Dustin Poirier, who was on the receiving end of a lethal head-kick knockout from Justin Gaethje back in July 2023. The ‘Diamond’ has never lost two fights in a row, but Benoit Saint Denis will aim to puncture any chance Poirier has of getting back to title contention.
The ‘God of War’ has cast shockwaves across the lightweight division in his last five fights, finishing every opponent that has stood in his way.
Volkanovski’s pick: Dustin Poirier via KO/TKO
He said: “We all know that [Dustin] Poirier has proved himself against the highest level, so that’s going to be [a key factor].
“When [Dustin Poirier] puts his combinations together and finds his range and gets comfortable, he looks great. Usually, [Dustin Poirier] does take risks early, I’ve thought, and I’ve seen him not do that in his last couple of fights. I’ve seen him play it a little bit more safe.
Kevin Holland V Michael ‘Venom’ Page
Kevin Holland will aim to pick himself back up after his decision loss to Jack Della Maddalena in September 2023. ‘Big Mouth’ is renowned for taking any fight that is thrown at him, and nothing has changed here as he takes on UFC debutant and former Bellator title contender, Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
Almost a year to the exact date of his last fight, MVP wants to make an instant impact in the welterweight division. Although the Brit never achieved champion status in Bellator, the UFC will pose a much different challenge.
Volkanovski’s pick: MVP via KO/TKO
He said: “We know they’re both going to bring it, both going to be game, both going to be confident and not be shocked. They’re both going to be composed in there.
“They’re going to go for things that some people probably wouldn’t. Could that lead to finishes? Yeh.
“I think just for the story, I feel like [Michael Page] coming over [to the UFC] he can get the job done.
“That high [skill] level that you’re going to see from Michael ‘Venom’ Page, I think that could play a big part in getting the victory in this one.”
Gilbert Burns V Jack Della Maddalena
After an active year in 2023, gaining wins over Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal, and falling to a unanimous decision loss to Belal Muhammad in May, Gilbert Burns returns. The 37-year-old might be nearing the end of his UFC career, but a win on Saturday could mean one last chance at becoming champion.
First, he must get past one of the soaring talents in the division – Jack Della Maddalena. The Australian blitzed through Dana White’s Contender Series and is so far undefeated after his first six fights with the company, including his latest and most notable win over Kevin Holland.
Volkanovski’s pick: Jack Della Maddalena via decision
He said: “We all know [Jack Della Maddalena] has got great boxing, we all know he’s durable, we know he’s pretty good everywhere.
“[Gilbert] Burns is obviously a high-level grappler. He’s strong. He’s going to want to push you to the wall, want to try to get you to the ground. I think that is going to be pretty hard for someone like Jack Della, I think [Gilbert] Burns might find it hard
“Obviously, I can see a finish. But I think the safest bet, out of respect to both fighters, is they’re both durable, they’re both that good that they won’t make too big of mistakes to get finished.”
Petr Yan V Song Yadong
The former bantamweight champion is still yet to get back to winning ways after three successive decision losses to Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley, and Aljamain Sterling.
On the other side of the octagon will be Song Yadong who has been persistent in his bid to continue climbing the rankings. The Chinese-born fighter is currently on a two-fight win streak since his doctor stoppage loss to Cory Sandhagen in September 2022.
Volkanovski’s pick: Petr Yan via decision
He said: “I think stylistically, it’s not bad [for Petr Yan]. Even though Song Yadong is that good and I feel like he’s a big threat to a lot of the people in that [bantamweight] division, most people in that division in fact, I think stylistically this isn’t too bad of a fight for Petr Yan.
“His defensive pressure, his defensive boxing, I think for someone powerful like Song Yadong, it’s going to go very well for [Petr Yan].”
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Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
