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In a 5-round middleweight bout on the main card, Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev meet Saturday at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC 308: Whittaker vs. Chimaev odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 2 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.
Records: Whittaker (27-7-0) | Chimaev (13-0-0)
The former champ Whittaker is looking to position himself for another title shot. Since losing to Israel Adesanya at UFC 271 for the title, he has rebounded with 3 wins in the past 4 fights, with only a 2nd-round KO/TKO against current champ Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290.
Whittaker has ended up going the distance in 6 of his past 8 fights since July 25, 2020, while going the distance 8 times in the previous 11 outings.
Chimaev is a perfect 7-for-7 since arriving at the UFC level, posting a majority-decision win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last time out over a calendar year ago Oct. 21, 2023. He has finished inside the distance in 5 of the past 7 fights with the company.
Chimaev holds a 1.5-inch reach advantage, while posting a 5.72-to-4.58 significant strikes landed per minute lead. Chimaev is way more accurate on those strikes, posting a 70.43% mark to just 45.96% for Whittaker. Chimaev is also much better in the ground game, posting a 3.99 takedown average and 2.66 submission average. On the flip side, Whittaker has a 0.80 takedown average and just a 38.10% takedown accuracy percentage.
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UFC 308: Whittaker vs. Chimaev odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Whittaker +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Chimaev -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -110 | Under -120)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +250 | No -375)
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UFC 308: Whittaker vs. Chimaev picks and predictions
Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)
Chimaev (-225) seems like an unstoppable force, but Whittaker (+185) is a tough customer. However, it’s all about the unbeaten fighter who is representing the host nation of United Arab Emirates. You can’t risk more than 2 times your potential return on the 2-way line, as it is just too expensive for a standalone wager.
This is a titanic battle, and Chimaev has ended up going the distance in 2 of the past 3 fights. Whittaker has needed the help of the judges in 6 of the previous 8 outings.
CHIMAEV BY DECISION (+600) is worth a roll of the dice for the chance to multiply your initial return by 6 times.
Over/Under (O/U)
YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+250) is a strong play for the chance to win 2½ times your money, especially if you want action on the fight and you’d prefer not to declare a winner.
In 10 of the past 15 fights for Whittaker, he has ended up going the distance dating back to Nov. 14, 2015. Chimaev has ended up needing the help of the judges twice in the past 3 outings.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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