UFC Saudi Arabia: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov Preview & Best Bets
Tyler Mason
Host · Writer
A middleweight bout headlines UFC Saudi Arabia as No. 3 ranked Robert “Bobby Knuckles" Whittaker takes on unranked late replacement Ikram Aliskerov.
- Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024 | Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Kingdom Arena – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | TV: ABC
No Time For a Stiff Drink
No. 7 ranked light heavyweight Johnny Walker faces No. 9 ranked Volkan Oezdemir. Walker had a three-fight win streak before a no-contest and loss in back-to-back fights against Magomed Ankalaev. Oezdemir is coming off a submission win but is 2-3 over his past five.
Walker is four inches taller and has a seven-inch reach advantage. He is unpredictable and powerful, but he’s a known quantity. Oezdemir lands 0.78 more significant strikes per minute but absorbs 1.09 more. Walker should be the more offensive grappler, but Oezdemir has better takedown defense.
Walker might be a wild man, but his offense is worth a wager at -108.
Ivan Drago vs. Ivan Drago
No. 3 ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich takes on No. 5 ranked Alexander Volkov in a battle of two heavy-hitting Russians. Before being knocked out by Tom Aspinall, Pavlovich had six straight knockouts in the UFC. Volkov has a three-fight win streak, finishing all three opponents (2 knockouts, 1 submission).
Volkov is four inches taller, but Pavlovich has a four-inch reach advantage. Both fighters have a plethora of knockouts, but Pavlovich easily has the power edge, knocking down opponents 5.9 times per 15 minutes. Pavlovich lands 3.11 more significant strikes per minute and absorbs 1.61 more. Volkov is the more offensive grappler but is not overwhelming, and Pavlovich has a decent defense.
Pavlovich is a significant favorite at -250, so we’ll take him by KO/TKO at -150 to improve our payout.
Middleweight Main Event
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov
- Odds to Win: Whittaker -152 | Aliskerov +124
- How Will Fight End: KO/TKO -140 | Submission +550 | Decision +175
- Will the fight go the distance? Yes +182 | No -240
Robert “Bobby Knuckles" Whittaker looks to continue his momentum and possibly earn another title shot, taking on late replacement Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker has alternated wins and losses over his last four and has sat at the top of the division for eight years. Aliskerov is a rising prospect at 15-1, his only career loss coming against Khamzat Chimaev.
Both fighters are six feet tall, but Aliskerov has a 2.5-inch reach advantage. Aliskerov will have the power edge, knocking down opponents 4.66 times per 15 minutes. He’s also a volume striker, landing 8.24 significant strikes per minute. However, Aliskerov absorbs 3.7 more significant strikes per minute. Aliskerov is the more active grappler, landing 2.33 takedowns per 15 minutes and 2.33 submissions.
This could be a surprise upset spot, but roll Whittaker as the favorite at -152.
UFC Saudi Arabia: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov Betting Card
- Walker to win (-108)
- Pavlovich by KO/TKO (-150)
- Whittaker to win (-152)
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