Whittaker Vs. Aliskerov Betting Odds, Prediction

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight talents Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov will clash this weekend (Sat., June 22, 2024) at UFC Saudi Arabia inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Aliskerov is just 2-0 inside the Octagon, but both victories came via first round knockout. Booking the Combat Sambo champion has proven difficult, as some big name opponents have failed to make it into the cage opposite Aliskerov, leaving the Russian to face off with Contenders Series randoms instead. In an odd shift of fate, however, Aliskerov’s original match up and Whittaker’s planned main event fell apart at roughly the same time, setting the table for this quality clash.

As for Whittaker? The former champion has been there and done that. This is hardly the first time he’s faced off with a scary up-and-comer, and the Australian is willing to throw down with anyone who gets him closer to another title shot.

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Aliskerov Vs. Whittaker Betting Odds

• Ikram Aliskerov victory: +124
• Ikram Aliskerov via TKO/KO/DQ: +250
• Ikram Aliskerov via submission: +700
• Ikram Aliskerov via decision: +750
• Robert Whittaker victory: -148
• Robert Whittaker via TKO/KO/DQ: +180
• Robert Whittaker via submission: +1600
• Robert Whittaker via decision: +250
• Draw: +5000
• Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

How Aliskerov Wins

Aliskerov is a well-rounded talent that likes to strike. His jab is his most standout weapon on the feet, and it helps him line up more powerful connections like his right hand and flying knee. The Russian can wrestle quite well too, and if able to gain top position, expect him to hunt for the kimura.

To my eye, this is a difficult style match up for Aliskerov. I don’t think he has the wrestling to drag Whittaker down — though it’s of course worth a shot! — and striking with Whittaker is always a difficult challenge. The fortunate aspect is that Aliskerov is a bit younger with far fewer miles on him.

In short, that means an ugly fight might just favor the Russian. We saw how Dricus Du Plessis was able to turn a single takedown into some heavy elbows that wobbled and wounded Whittaker, leaving him more vulnerable on the feet in the next round. To create a similar result, Aliskerov has to push the pace a bit more than usual and blend his wrestling into his striking, which will make for his best chance at hurting the former champion.

How Whittaker Wins

Whittaker is an incredible Middleweight, a former champion who has battered many top-ranked opponents. He does so with excellent in-and-out movement and smart shot selection, as well as some of the best defensive wrestling in Middleweight history.

Movement is the key to victory in this bout. Aliskerov doesn’t have nearly as many range weapons as Whittaker, and he doesn’t like when opponents move too much for his jab to land consistently. Whittaker can use his speed and movement to win the jab battle, thus limiting his opponent’s best weapon.

Whittaker would be wise to incorporate more low kicks into his offense here. Aliskerov’s reliance on the jab and tendency to circle to his left leaves him vulnerable to the strike, and Whittaker has five rounds to reap the rewards. If Whittaker is patient in winning the range battle and doing attritional damage, he sets himself up to cruise in the championship rounds.

Aliskerov Vs. Whittaker Prediction

Unless Whittaker has fallen off athletically, he should be significantly favored here.

The Australian is simply the better fighter. He’s a superior striker with the perfect style to make Aliskerov look stationary, and the Russian’s wrestling skill won’t be able to bail him out. The risk to Whittaker is that he’s a bit older and a touch slower than he used to be, and Aliskerov hits quite hard. An early knockout is always possible, regardless of the skill differential.

That said, Whittaker is a gamer. He’s survived getting rocked in the past, and he’s the man prepared for a 25-minute fight. Aliskerov, meanwhile, has basically endured a 10-day continuous weight cut and is going from facing Warlley Alves to the second most decorated Middleweight of the last decade.

That’s a tall ask.

Prediction: Whittaker via decision (+250)

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Saudi Arabia fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 3 p.m. ET (also on ABC/ESPN+).

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