UFC 284 Prelims & Early Prelims Predictions, Odds & Picks

The UFC takes over RAC Arena in Perth, Australia for UFC 284 this Saturday. A lot of eyes are on the main card, which features a UFC Lightweight Championship main event between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Keeping that in mind, the early prelims and preliminary cards also contain fights that die-hard MMA enthusiasts won’t want to miss.

𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄-𝐓𝐎-𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄.

🏆 @MakhachevMMA vs 🏆 @AlexVolkanovski

[ #UFC284 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/xFq6ldwHKy ]i pic.twitter.com/lo3BD2hpy4

— UFC (@ufc) February 10, 2023

Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the latest odds for all of UFC 284’s preliminary and early prelims fights, along with our prediction for each matchup.

UFC 284 Preliminary Card and Odds (Odds as of Friday, February 10)

The UFC 284 odds listed below are via BetOnline Sportsbook.

Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro (-265) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (+210)

After a 1-3 stretch that had his fans worried, Tyson Pedro (9-3) has turned things around lately. He’s scored back-to-back wins over Ike Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker, knocking out both of his opponents in the first round.

Since being released by UFC in 2021, Modestas Bukauskas (13-5) has also won two straight fights. He defeated Lee Chadwick by unanimous decision before knocking out Chuck Campbell to become the Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion.

Bukauskas has a lot to prove after how his first UFC run ended, leading to my siding with Pedro. He’s already shown that he can hold his own in the company and I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished Bukauskas, who has two KO/TKO losses in his last three UFC fights.

Best Bet: Tyson Pedro by KO/TKO (+180)

Featherweight: Joshua Culibao (-106) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (-114)

In a featherweight fight that could go either way, Joshua Culibao (10-1-1) looks to extend his winning streak to three outings. He’s gone the distance in each of his last two fights, defeating Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (unanimous) and Choi Seung-woo (split).

Meanwhile, Melsik Baghdasaryan (7-1) hasn’t lost since his first-ever MMA fight, winning seven straight since then. He’s handled everyone in his path during his UFC run, winning twice by unanimous decision and once by TKO.

It’s hard trusting Culibao due to his inability to put his opponents away decisively, picking up a split decision win and a draw in his last three fights. Baghdasaryan is going to give Culibao more than he bargained for, especially with the former being the better striker.

Best Bet: Melsik Baghdasaryan to Win (-114)

Flyweight: Shannon Ross (+260) vs. Kleydson Rodrigues (-340)

While Shannon Ross (12-6) has had a decent MMA career, he’s had some recent struggles. He’s lost two of his last three fights, which includes a TKO loss in his UFC debut to Vinicius Salvador on Dana White’s Contender Series 2022.

Kleydson Rodrigues (7-2), on the other hand, is also coming off a loss. He fell to C.J. Vergara by split decision at UFC 274, ending the Brazilian fighter’s winning streak at six fights.

Rodrigues has had more recent success than Ross and also has the advantage of being six years younger. Considering how Ross was also knocked out in his first-ever UFC bout, I’m siding with Rodrigues and his six career knockout wins.

Best Bet: Kleydson Rodriguez by KO/TKO (+280)

Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey (-265) vs. Francisco Padro (+210)

After losing his first two UFC bouts, Jamie Mullarkey (15-5) has turned things around ahead of UFC 284. He’s improved to 3-1 in his last four fights, picking up a pair of knockout wins over Khama Worthy and Devonte Smith while also defeating Michael Johnson by split decision.

Francisco Padro (11-0) looks to remain perfect this weekend in his UFC debut. He’s finished each of the 11 opponents he’s faced prior to his upcoming fight, making it interesting to see if he can continue avoiding his first-ever loss.

All good things come to an end and I predict that Padro will taste defeat on Saturday. Mullarkey has the size advantage and also has the edge if things head to the mat. It’s going to look close at times, but I see Mullarkey coming out on top in a lengthy fight.

Best Bet: Jamie Mullarkey by Points (+210)

UFC 284 Early Prelims Card

Featherweight: Jack Jenkins (-400) vs. Don Shainis (+300)

Jack Jenkins (10-2) looks to extend his winning streak to eight fights as he comes off a TKO victory over Freddy Emiliano Linares in his UFC debut. Meanwhile, Don Shainis (12-4) hopes to bounce back after a first-round submission loss to Sodiq Yusuf at UFC Vegas 61.

Considering how Shainis’ lost in 30 seconds in his only UFC fight, I’m siding with Jenkins on this one. He has much better strike defense than Shainis and has already found success at MMA’s highest level. Expect “Phar” to make quick work of Shainis in his home country.

Best Bet: Jack Jenkins by KO/TKO (+150)

Women’s Strawweight: Loma Lookboonmee (-280) vs. Elise Reed (+220)

UFC 284 features one women’s matchup as Loma Lookboonmee (7-3) takes on Elise Reed (6-2) in strawweight action.

Lookboonmee has gone the distance in all six of her UFC fights, going 4-2 while winning three times by unanimous decision. On the other hand, Reed has only gone 2-2 under the promotion’s umbrella, however, she did defeat Melissa Martinez by unanimous decision in her last outing.

I’m going with the odds here and backing Lookboonmee. Reed has already been knocked out twice in her short UFC career and I don’t think that she has the endurance to hang with Lookboonmee in what should be another lengthier fight.

Best Bet: Loma Lookboonmee by Points (-130)

Featherweight: Shane Young (-114) vs. Blake Bilder (+118)

Shane Young (13-6) is starving for a victory after losing back-to-back fights, most recently falling to Omar Morales by unanimous decision at UFC 260. Meanwhile, Blake Bilder (7-0-1) remained undefeated after a submission win over Alex Morgan in his UFC debut and now looks to win his first-ever PPV fight.

It’s hard trusting Young when he’s lost two straight fights and hasn’t fought since March 2021. Momentum is clearly on Bilder’s side and his submission-heavy style will help him break Young down as the fight goes on.

Best Bet: Blake Bilder to Win (+118)

Lightweight: Zubaira Tukhugov (-650) vs. Elves Brenner (+440)

UFC 284 also includes Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1) making his return following a two-year absence. He’s gone 5-2-1 in his eight previous UFC fights, most recently defeating Ricardo Ramos by unanimous decision at UFC 267.

Standing across from Tukhugov is Elves Brenner (13-3), who’s never stepped foot into a UFC octagon. He’s won back-to-back outings by submission, leaving time to tell if he can keep that momentum going against the returning Tukhugov.

Tukhugov is about as tough as they come and his previous UFC experience gives him the edge against Brenner. Tukhugov also excels at outlasting his opponents, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he wins this one by going the distance as well — especially since Brenner is 1-3 when his fights involve a decision.

Best Bet: Zubaira Tukhugov by Points (+120)

UFC 284 Event Details

When is UFC 284?

UFC 284 will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023.

Where is UFC 284?

UFC 284 will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

What time does UFC 284 start?

• UFC 284 Early Prelims Start Time: 6 p.m. ET
• UFC 284 Prelims Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Start Time of UFC 284’s Main Card: 10 p.m. ET

How can I watch UFC 284?

The early prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass, while the prelims will be available on both ESPN and ESPN+, and the main card will be available via pay-per-view (which can be ordered through the ESPN+ app).

Other UFC 284 Stories on Betting News

• Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski UFC 284 Odds & Picks: Champion Retains in Hard-Hitting Affair
• Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett UFC 284 Prediction & Picks: Can Rodriguez Outlast Emmett in Australia?
• Jack Della Maddalena vs Randy Brown UFC 284 Prediction & Picks: Can the Hometown Hero Get the Job Done?