The Middleweight championship will be on the line as the headliner of the main card for UFC 234. To be exact defending champion Robert Whittaker will face challenger Kelvin Gastelum for the UFC middleweight title. Whittaker has opened as a solid favorite with the UFC betting odds to retain his title. Further, this will be Whittaker’s first title defense. Although he won his last bout over Yoel Romero the challenger was disqualified due to not making weight. Also, Whittaker and Gastelum are featured opposing coaches for season 28 of The Ultimate Fighter. Also, Whittaker is fighting in his back yard.
UFC 234 Whittaker vs. Gastelum from Australia
Date and Time: Sat, Feb 9, 9:00 PM
Location: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Australia
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Robert Whittaker
Accordingly, it’s understandable why Robert Whittaker is such a favorite with the UFC betting odds. Whittaker is 28 years of age and resides in Sydney, Australia. “The Reaper” has a career record of 20-4. And out of his 20 wins nine were by knockout, five by submission, and six by decision. Whittaker’s losses were one by submission, one by knockout, and two by decision. Owing to his success is a UFC ranking of 12th best as a pound for pound fighter. Most important of all Whittaker is riding a nine-bout winning streak.
Kelvin Gastelum
Subsequently the challenger Kelvin Gastelum is an American fighting out of San Jose, California. His career record is 15-3-1. Gastelum has six knockout, four submission, and five decision wins. Conversely his losses were one by submission, and two by decision. Gastelum is coming off back to back wins and is in his first championship bout.
Whittaker Previous Bouts
Last time out for Robert Whittaker was a sportsbook win over Yoel Romero. Initially the matchup was supposed to be a rematch for the UFC middleweight title. But Romero failed to qualify due to weight making Whittaker’s title belt out of play. Yet Whittaker still got the money for gamblers with a split decision win. Previously Romero lost a unanimous decision to Whittaker for the interim UFC middleweight championship on July 8, 2017. It was the first ever championship for Whittaker.
Gastelum’s Winning Streak
Late on Kelvin Gastelum is back on track with two consecutive wins. Gastelum is coming off a split decision win over Ronaldo Souza in a three-round bout. The fight took place on May 12, 2018. He also got Fight of the Night honors for the win. Correspondingly Gastelum defeated Michael Bisping in a knockout on November 25, 2017. With the win he earned Performance of the Night honors.
Matchup to Watch
Of great concern is the price on Whittaker with the UFC betting odds. Gastelum brings the potential for good value. In fact, many MMA experts see him as a bona fide live dog with the potential for the upset. Balanced against that is Whittaker’s strong recent form. To be exact the price is understandable on the defending champ.
UFC 234 Betting Odds Picks
In sum Robert Whittaker is the proven champion and in excellent form.
UFC 234 Betting Online Pick: Robert Whittaker
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