The interim middleweight title will be up for grabs this Saturday, when No. 1 contender Yoel Romero meets No. 2 ranked Robert Whittaker. It’s a matchup that one could easily argue features the best 185-pounders in the world, as Michael Bisping would likely be the underdog against either man.
Fresh off of a shocking upset victory over Jacare Souza, 26-year old Robert Whittaker will once again try to knock off a longtime contender as an underdog - this time a much smaller one. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your betting options.
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Robert Whittaker -135
Yoel Romero +105
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -190, under +165
Matchup Preview & Betting Analysis
Romero is a scary, scary physical specimen. Though he’s only 5’10” - small by middleweight standards - he’s absolutely ripped. As one of the UFC’s most explosive athletes. nobody ends a fight quicker than this hulk-monster masquerading as a human man.
His last fight against Chris Weidman is the perfect example of how dangerous Romero can be. In a close, tense matchup, Romero launched a flying knee in the third that instantly ended the night. Weidman not only went down, but his face was cut so deep that blood was literally spurting all over the octagon.
Robert Whittaker is a new addition to the middleweight contender mix, but his performance against Ronaldo Souza announced the arrival of a legitimate title threat. The Aussie fended off the takedowns of a BJJ world champion and thoroughly outclassed a solid striker on the feet.
It was an eye-opening performance to say the least. Whittaker seemed to have unlocked the key to blending his speed, power and skill to maximize his tremendous potential. He also came up with the perfect game plan to beat Jacare, a testament to his coaching staff at a relatively unknown training camp.
Against Romero, Whittaker must once-again devise a specific plan - this time to whittle down the Cuban’s infamously shaky cardio. That’s far easier said than done, as it only takes a split second for Romero to unleash a fight-ending blow. What Whittaker has going for him is that he’s much faster than Romero’s past opponents.
How You Should Bet
The UFC odds show a very even matchup, with Romero as a small favorite. That sounds about right, he is nearly impossible to take down and dangerous to get close to. However, Whittaker has all the tools to beat him. In other words, it’s too tough to pick a winner. Instead, shoot for the under on 1.5 rounds. Given how aggressive Whittaker will have to be, the potential that it ends early is high - plus you can win more than what you put in.
UFC odds pick: Under 1.5 rounds +165
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UFC 213 takes place on July 8, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card airs on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m.
