Undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (19-4, 9 KOs, 5 SUBs) will defend the title against former champion Luke Rockhold (16-3, 6 KOs, 8 SUBs) at UFC 221 on Saturday, February 10, 2017 at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get previews, predictions and betting picks at BookMaker.eu now!
The middleweight division is finally moving on. With Georges St. Pierre vacating the belt, Robert Whittaker is now the undisputed 185-pound champion - and will defend the title against top contender Luke Rockhold on February 10 in Australia.
It’s ok to feel a bit shafted by the whole Bisping-GSP ordeal. Frankly, all it did was muck up the UFC’s credibility when it comes to its champions. But Whittaker vs. Rockhold is here to restore some normalcy to the division, and it can’t come soon enough.
Whittaker’s breakout year is carrying over into the sportsbooks, as he opened as a clear favorite in the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu for his first defense.
Opening UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Luke Rockhold +155
Robert Whittaker -185
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -170, under +130
Early Odds Analysis
It’s amazing how a former welterweight is beasting so hard in a division that he should be undersized for. But it’s become increasingly clear that Bobby Knuckles is a special fighter.
With each passing fight, Whittaker has given us glimpses of elite skills, suggesting that he might be the most complete fighter at 185 pounds. Against Derek Brunson, The Reaper showed off killshot power and scored a KO. In a win over Ronaldo Souza, it was the takedown defense that forced Jacare to box with a superior striker. Against Yoel Romero, Whittaker put it all together against the division’s most explosive man.
Rockhold will test Whittaker in a few different areas. The AKA product is a powerful, unorthodox kicker. He’s a dangerous submission wrestler. And he’s a huge middleweight to boot. However, the fact that he’s been caught with massive punches in two consecutive does not bode well against a champion whose been tuning guys up on the feet.
UFC Betting Tips
You’ve got two early options here. The first is to lay the price on Whittaker - it’s expensive, but playable. The other is to take the rounds over - 1.5 is a low total, and Rockhold and Whittaker are both generally very durable.
We’ll keep you updated with any line movement in the coming weeks, and make sure to check before fight night for the full preview.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
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UFC 221 takes place on Saturday, February 10, 2017 at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims.
