UFC 308: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Prediction, Odds, and Picks (October 26)
- Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev odds suggest “Borz” will remain undefeated.
- Whittaker is a very well-rounded fighter, while Chimaev is one of the best wrestlers in the UFC.
- Whoever wins the Whittaker vs. Chimaev fight will likely get to fight Dricus du Plessis for the Middleweight title.
Our top Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev prediction is that the fight will go the distance. Chimaev doesn’t have the boxing skills, power, or gas tank needed to go to a striking war with Whittaker. However, his wrestling is next level, so he can certainly try to hold and control him as long as possible.
But will this tactic work for the Chechen? Or will we see Whittaker “fraud check” Chimaev? Read this Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev preview to find out what we think.
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Robert Whittaker | +190 |
| Khamzat Chimaev | -245 |
When, Where, and How to Watch?
- Place: Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: PPV
Fight Preview
Robert Whittaker (26-7) is a former UFC Middleweight Champion who has consistently fought the very best in the division, including Dricus du Plessis, Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero, Jared Cannonier, and others.
He’s got all sorts of fighting skills, which, along with incredible stamina and a high fight IQ, make him one of the best middleweights on the planet.
While he’s got experience with freestyle wrestling, he probably isn’t as good a wrestler as Khamzat Chimaev (13-0). Whittaker’s takedown defense is pretty good at 82%, but he did get taken down every time he fought prolific wrestlers.
For example, in his two fights with Romero, he suffered a total of seven takedowns. On the bright side for him, he ended up winning both of those fights.
This time, however, oddsmakers think he won’t win. The Whittaker vs. Chimaev odds suggest “Borz” will win his 14th straight professional MMA win. This guy also has a 3-0 record in amateur MMA, as well as a 24-0 record in freestyle wrestling.
One of the reasons why he’s still undefeated is that he chooses his fights carefully, which has earned him a reputation as a fight dodger. He even made the UFC postpone the Whittaker vs. Chimaev fights for a couple of months, citing an illness as a result.
However, in the MMA social media circles, that was a sign that he wasn’t completely ready for the fight. Is he ready now?
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Prediction
Our prediction depends on how many rounds will this fight have. So, is Chimaev vs Whittaker 5 rounds? We’re not yet sure – Whittaker has told the press it’s 5 rounds, but there’s still no official confirmation on the UFC website.
READ ALSO: UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Prediction, Odds, and Picks (October 26)
If it’s three rounds, “Borz” will have a very good chance to win. He just needs to start strong and then keep control of his opponent until the end of the 15 minutes. But if the Whittaker vs. Chimaev ends up being a 5-round fight – as a title eliminator should be – the Chechen is in problem.
His performance has historically dropped significantly after two rounds of fighting, which is why we doubt he can survive for the full five rounds. So, if this is a true title eliminator, our pick is Whittaker.
Free Pick:
- Robert Whittaker by Decision
