In a middleweight bout on the main card, Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis meet Saturday at UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC 290: Whittaker vs. Du Plessis odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The early prelims are on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET with the prelims on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET and the main card on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET.
Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.
Records: Whittaker (25-6-0) | Du Plessis (19-2-0)
The former title holder Whittaker suffered a title bout loss against Israel Adesanya at UFC 271 in early February 2022. He bounced back with a unanimous-decision win over Marvin Vettori in early September in a fight night bout. “The Reaper” has gone the distance in 5 straight fights, and 7 of the past 8 overall, dating back to July 2017.
Du Plessis is a perfect 5-for-5 since arriving at the UFC in Oct. 2020, including stoppage victories against Darren Till via submission at UFC 282 in December and a win over Derek Brunson by way of 2nd-round KO/TKO at UFC 285 in March.
The South African fighter holds a 2.5-inch reach advantage and has a 6.72-to-4.48 significant strikes landed per minute advantage. In addition, Du Plessis has a 57.14% significant strikes accuracy percentage to just 45.37% for Whittaker. Du Plessis also has better numbers on the ground, too. However, Whittaker has much more experience and has fought the cream of the crop in the division.
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UFC 290: Whittaker vs. Du Plessis odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11:12 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Whittaker -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Du Plessis +305 (bet $100 to win $305)
- Over/Under: 1.5 rounds (Over -165 | Under +125)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +165 | No -225)
UFC 290: Whittaker vs. Du Plessis picks and predictions
Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)
While Du Plessis (+305) is a tempting play for the chance to more than triple up, the time isn’t quite now. Whittaker is still at, or near, the top of his game. As long as the fighter in front of him isn’t Adesanya, Whittaker is middleweight gold.
However, you can’t risk nearly 4 times on the 2-way line with him. Instead, let’s get a little more creative.
While I don’t think Du Plessis springs the upset, he will make “The Reaper” work for it. Whittaker is used to it as he has gone the distance in each of his past 5 fights, winning 4 by unanimous decision. Take WHITTAKER BY DECISION (+200) for the chance to double up.
Over/Under (O/U)
As a result of playing Whittaker by decision, you will want to play OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (-165) if you’re not quite as adventurous. If you are a little more daring, YES (+165): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a strong play.
Du Plessis is going to make him work, as he is the better grappler. If he can get it to the canvas early, he has a chance to make this one go long into the night.
Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
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