Robert Whittaker takes on Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC 234 this Saturday night as one of the betting favorites on the card at the sportsbooks.
Robert Whittaker has won each of his last nine fights including back-to-back wins over Yoel Romero. Whittaker will defend his UFC Middleweight Championship this Saturday night when he fights Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234.
Whittaker is a -240 favorite on the UFC odds to defend his title in Australia at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. While his last fight against Romero did not count as a formal title defense after Romero failed to make weight, Whittaker still left no doubt about his position as champion by defeating him for a second time.
Whittaker is a Sydney, Australia native and should have his home country’s support in this one.
Gastelum will try to spoil the party for the home crowd as a +190 underdog at sports betting sites. The 27-year-old has won five of his last six fights if you include his victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 that was overturned due to a positive drug test. Since losing to Chris Weidman, he has bounced back with wins over Michael Bisping and Ronaldo Souza to earn this title shot.
Nigerian rising star Israel Adesanya is a massive favorite at -650 taking on the storied veteran Anderson Silva (+425) in the co-main event. Adesanya is a perfect 15-0 as a professional so far including a 4-0 record through his first four fights in the UFC, and a win over Silva would be another step in his quick path to an eventual title shot.
Silva is hoping to jump in line for that title shot, but the 43-year-old has won only one of his last five official fights.
In what looks to be the most competitive fight on the main card on paper, Ricky Simon is a slight favorite at -125 over Rani Yahya (-105) in their bantamweight bout. Simon has won each of his last seven fights including a 2-0 start with the UFC.
Rounding out the main card, Devonte Smith (-260) clashes with Dong Hyun Ma (+200) and Jim Crute (-140) will face Sam Alvey (+110). Crute is 9-0 as a professional and will be making his second UFC appearance on Saturday after defeating Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 142.
UFC 234 Betting Lines
Robert Whittaker (-240) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (+190)
Israel Adesanya (-650) vs. Anderson Silva (+425)
Ricky Simon (-125) vs. Rani Yahya (-105)
Devonte Smith (-260) vs. Dong Hyun Ma (+200)
Jim Crute (-140) vs. Sam Alvey (+110)
For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.