Robert Whittaker is now a -138 favorite over Ikram Aliskerov (+110) in the new main event at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22 in Riyadh.
Whittaker now flips from a healthy underdog to a slight favorite after his original opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, pulled out due to illness.
Here's a deeper preview of the Whittaker vs Aliskerov odds and our best bets for UFC Saudi Arabia.
Whittaker vs Aliskerov Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ikram Aliskerov | +110 |
| Robert Whittaker | -138 |
Odds as of June 21
Our odds calculator suggests Whittaker's -138 status awards him a 57.98% implied chance of victory, with a $100 bet paying out $172.46. At +110, Aliskerov gets a 47.62% chance and a $100 bet cashes $210.
Remember folks, this is a five-round main event.
Betting Preview: How Whittaker Wins
Take your time. Rob has way more MMA and UFC experience than his new opponent, and he'll be better prepared for an offensive attack from Aliskerov. Whittaker has made a killing with slick combos (especially his jab-kick chains) and can use the first round to lay the foundation for these big moments.
Aliskerov can wrestle a bit, but he'd rather punch it out, which leaves no obvious gaps in Whittaker's game. Against Khamzat, Rob would've hit survival mode on the ground. He'll be fine vs Aliskerov.
Whittaker got blasted with power shots against Dricus Du Plessis not long ago, and you can bet Ikram watched that tape. "The Reaper" must stay active and keep his feet moving off the center line to avoid Aliskerov's heavy hands.
In the end, Rob's -138 odds are good enough to bet him straight up. It's hard to predict anything beyond that.
Betting Preview: How Aliskerov Wins
Aliskerov is a thick fella. He's big and powerful and remarkably fast when he beelines for his opponent. We saw him dispatch Phil Hawes with one punch and crush Warrley Alves with a devastating combo.
It's worth noting how talented Aliskerov is in counter-punching situations. He often throws when opponents throw, which leads to many KOs. Rob must get in and get out, staying off the center line.
You can bet Aliskerov as the SU underdog, because who knows how long this fight goes, but you can also toss a hail mary bet on a KO by the Russian.
Whittaker vs Aliskerov Pick
In the end, I believe Whittaker's experience will play big. He might not be as strong or as aggressive as Aliskerov, but he should be smarter and more polished.
Obviously an UNDER favors Aliskerov, but I'm counting on this fight going into the later rounds, where Whittaker thrives.
