The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is the chosen venue for an electrifying 5-round middleweight contest this Saturday featuring titans Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. This enticing match-up will take place on the main card of UFC 308, with preliminaries starting at 10 a.m. ET followed by the main card, airing on pay-per-view from 2 p.m. ET.
In this epic clash, the fighters bring formidable records—Whittaker with an impressive 27-7-0, stacked against Chimaev’s unblemished 13-0-0. Whittaker, the one-time champion, is keen to secure his place for another dash at the belt.
Whittaker’s spirits are high as he has managed to tally up 3 victories from the last 4 matches on his scorecard. This resurgence is a direct comeback from his title loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 271. However, he did experience a blip with a 2nd-round KO/TKO against current leading champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290.
Robert Whittaker is no stranger to stamina-testing, long-drawn matches—he’s managed to stay till the last bell in six out of his last eight fights since July 25, 2020. In 11 matches prior, he had dragged the fight to the end a whopping eight times.
Staring down the ring at Whittaker is the undefeated Chimaev, who since breaking into the UFC circuit stands 7-0. His most recent victory was an edge-of-seat majority decision against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, which took place more than a year ago on October 21, 2023.
Chimaev’s bouts often don’t extend to the final ring of the bell. He has managed to clinch pre-last-bell victories in five out of his last seven fights at the company, showcasing both his dominance and proficiency in accomplishing a swift termination of the match.
Chimaev’s pre-fight statistics reveal notable benefits against Whittaker. He enjoys a reach advantage of 1.5 inches, while also holding a substantial lead in significant strikes landed per minute (5.72 versus 4.58). His striking accuracy far exceeds Whittaker’s, with a staggering 70.43% rate compared to Whittaker’s 45.96%.
Adding to Chimaev’s dominance, he also shows superior expertise in ground fighting, marked by an average of 3.99 takedowns along with a 2.66 submission average. In direct contrast, Whittaker’s stats in this area show a 0.80 takedown average and a takedown accuracy rate of just 38.10%.
In terms of betting odds (two-way line) for the battle, Whittaker stands at +185—which means a bet of $100 could yield a $185 win. However, Chimaev holds the favored position with a quoted -225, meaning a bet of $225 is required to win $100.
While speculations abound whether the showdown will stretch over 2.5 rounds, betting odds are marked at Over -110 and Under -120. The potential for the fight to go the distance has been calculated at Yes +250 and No -375.
UFC 308, featuring Whittaker vs. Chimaev, is already sparking a flurry of predictions. Chimaev, with his -225 odds, appears as an indomitable force, however, Whittaker at +185 is a seasoned fighter who can’t be readily dismissed.
Chimaev’s invincibility, coupled with his position as a representative of the host nation, United Arab Emirates, adds more excitement to this fierce face-off. This high-voltage match-up is further fuelled by the fact that Chimaev has gone the full distance in two out of his last three fights, while Whittaker has relied on the verdict of the judges in six out of his past eight clashes.
Based on these myriad factors, going in for CHIMAEV BY DECISION at +600 can offer punters an opportunity to amplify their investment sixfold. Of course, this is a high-stake bet dependent on the resolute will and boundless tenacity of the fighters.
For bettors who’d rather play safe, going for YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE, marked at +250, provides a decent chance to win 2½ times the money, without the need to precisely predict the victor.
In Whittaker’s last 15 fights, he has managed to extend it to the last bell on ten occasions, dating back to November 14, 2015. Interestingly, Chimaev has required the judges’ scoring for arriving at the verdict twice in his previous three fights.
In conclusion, the upcoming tussle at UFC 308 between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both fighters are battle-hardened and driven, and it is certain to be a spectacle to watch. No matter the eventual outcome, the victor of this hard-fought contest will surely have earned their glory.