Middleweight contenders Kelvin Gastelum (15-3, 6 KOs, 4 SUBs) and Israel Adesanya (16-0, 13 KOs) will fight for the interim title at UFC 236 on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10pm ET.
The 185-pound division is moving on this Saturday. With undisputed champion Robert Whittaker on the sidelines for the better part of 2019, an interim title belt will be introduced this Saturday when Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya meet in the co-main event of UFC 236 in Atlanta.
Gastelum was originally scheduled to meet Whittaker earlier this year, before the champ pulled out due to an emergency surgery. In a top-heavy division, Gastelum’s two-fight winning streak over former champ Michael Bisping and perennial contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza were just enough to earn a challenge.
On the other hand, Adesanya has rocketed into the spotlight with an undefeated 16-0 record, which includes five wins inside the octagon. With his mix of swag, athleticism and flashy striking, it only seemed a matter of time before “The Last Stylebender” found his way into a shot at the strap. Impressive wins over Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson and Anderson Silva helped his cause.
The winner of this matchup will walk away with some shiny new hardware and the “next” tag when Whittaker returns. Let’s hope that the undisputed champ comes back fully healthy.
Now let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best online betting options. Live UFC betting is also available between rounds during the fight, just in case you want to hedge any of your previous plays.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Israel Adesanya -175
Kelvin Gastelum +136
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -120 / -105
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Gastelum 3.86 / Adesanya 4.47
Accuracy: Gastelum 43% / Adesanya 53%
Absorbed per minute: Gastelum 2.87 / Adesanya 2.07
Defense: Gastelum 61% / Adesanya 69%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Gastelum 0.82 / Adesanya 0
Takedown accuracy: Gastelum 50% / Adesanya N/A
Takedown defense: Gastelum 62% / Adesanya 85%
Submission average: Gastelum 0.18 / Adesanya 0.22
Bet this Fight at BookMaker.eu
Online oddsmakers opened with Adesanya as more than a 2-1 favorite, and his line hasn’t moved much up to this point. Part of that is his massive hype: there are a lot of comparisons to a prime Anderson Silva, and at times he’s certainly looked the part. Piling up a flashy highlight reel can do a lot to sway bettors.
On paper, Gastelum seems like he’ll be outgunned. An excellent technical boxer with quick hands, the 27-year old will be fighting to Adesanya’s strengths. At 5’9”, he’ll give up a significant height and reach advantage to the 6’4” Nigerian. How he’ll get inside the distance is the big question, as The Last Stylebender could plausibly keep him at the end of his long kicks and punches - or launch the slicing interior elbows that he’s so fond of.
But for our part, we will say that Gastelum is a live ‘dog. A low-key dude who puts his head down and goes to work, Gastelum is right at home inside the pocket. Not only did he hold his own against the 6’2” Bisping and 6’1” Jacare, he carved them up like Thanksgiving turkeys. True, he’s never had to solve a problem like Adesanya - but Adesanya hasn’t faced any quite like Gastelum either.
UFC Odds Pick: Gastelum at +136
FYI picking a bet isn’t about who we think will win, but assessing the value. Admittedly, we liked Gastelum A LOT more when he was +175 a week ago - but we’ll still take this payout. Forcing Adesanya to fight in a phone booth could make this a very close fight - and a winnable one for the underdog.
UFC Odds Pick: Fight doesn’t go the distance
Although these guys have been fighting to decision more often than not lately, Gastelum’s aggressive style will likely force the issue here.
Bet on UFC odds online at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC 236 takes place on on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10pm ET.
