One of the best fighters at UFC steps back into the Octagon on Saturday night in the U.S. and Sunday afternoon in Australia when Israel Adesanya puts his championship strap on the line against Sean Strickland. The champ is an over -600 chalk. Before Adesanya and Strickland throw down, Tai Tuivasa goes against Alexander Volkov in what should be a terrific co-main event. Check out UFC odds, analysis, and free picks for the main card at UFC 293.

UFC 293 Event Info

Photoshoot fresh #UFC293 Media Day is in the books! pic.twitter.com/LXImOUxKIc

— UFC (@ufc) September 6, 2023

• When: Saturday, September 9, 2023. 10pm EST
• Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
• TV: PPV
• Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

READ MORE: UFC 293 Sleeper Picks

UFC 293 Main Card Odds

UFC 293 Main Card Preview

Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj

Slight underdog Tyson Pedro lost his last versus Modestas Bukauskus but it was via unanimous decision. Before falling to Bukauskus, Pedro had won 2 straight via KO against Ike Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker.

Anton Turkalj heads into this off 2 straight losses. If you’re looking to back the slight favorite, know that both losses were against solid fighters, Jailton Almeida and Vitor Petrino. Still, Pedro is fighting well enough to keep it going against his rival. Tyson gets the nod.

UFC 293 Pick: Tyson Pedro

Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane

Underdog Austen Lane has a nice 12-3 record. Not only does Lane have a 12-3 record, but Lane’s last loss came in 2020 versus Vernon Lewis. But although Lane has the better record, 12-3 compared to Justin Tafa’s 6-3 mark, Lane’s record may be overblown. The dog has fought twice at UFC and the first bout wasn’t even an official UFC fight. Instead, it happened on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Tafa shows 2 wins and a no contest in his last 3 bouts. The no contest came against Lane. The more experienced UFC brawler has the edge.

UFC 293 Pick: Justin Tafa

Manel Kape vs. Felipe dos Santos

Felipe dos Santos has a nice 7-0 record. The reason he’s such a massive dog against Manel Kape is because this will be Kape’s first UFC bout. Kape has not only never fought at this level, but he didn’t dominate his competition at the lower level, winning a split decision over then 1-1 Rafael Montouro Ribeiro and a unanimous decision over then 0-1 Hugo Paiva.

Kape is on a 3-match winning streak. All 3 fights happened at a UFC promotion and were against much tougher competition than what dos Santos has faced. The chalk wins this.

UFC 293 Pick: Manel Kape

Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov

If this were a UFC Fight Night event, Tuivasa versus Volkov would be the main event. That’s how brilliant both can be on any given night.

Underdog Tuivasa gives up 6 inches in height and 5 inches in reach. Tuivasa has lost his last couple of matches. Volkov is on a 2-match winning streak.

Both of Volkov’s victories were via first round knockout. They came against tough competitors Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Romanov. The taller fighter is tough to go against.

UFC 293 Pick: Alexander Volkov

Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland // UFC Middleweight Title

Since 2 losses in a row, Strickland has gotten back onto the winning track. The +460 underdog in this beat Nassourdine Imavov via unanimous decision on January 14. Then on June 10 in his last, Strickland got by Abus Magomedov via second round knockout.

But although Strickland will fight hard, Israel Adesanya is on another level. The champ exacted revenge over Alex Pereira in his last after losing the belt to Pereira a fight before.

Adesanya won’t give Strickland a chance to take a breath. Expect the champ to jump all over the underdog from the opening bell. An Adesanya knockout victory in Round 1 is possible.

UFC 293 Pick: Israel Adesanya

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