The co-main event of UFC 308 promises to deliver a significant moment in the promotion’s middleweight division as former 185-pound champion of the world Robert Whittaker takes on the UFC’s biggest enigma, Khamzat Chimaev.
It’s a bout that has major championship implications, with the winner likely to be next up for a shot at the undisputed UFC middleweight title currently held by South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis.
But, which man has the edge? MMA tipster Simon Head looks at both sides of the matchup ahead of fight night in Abu Dhabi.
UFC 308 BETTING TIPS
*Times listed are all estimated GMT start time
23:00: Robert Whittaker v Khamzat Chimaev
#WhatOddsPaddy: Khamzat Chimaev to land 2+ takedowns and win by submission
#WhatOddsPaddy: Robert Whittaker to be knocked down and win by decision
UFC 308
The Etihad Arena, AbuDhabi
TV: TNT Sports
Overnight Saturday, October 26th- Sunday, October 27th
The Form Guide
Put simply, Whittaker is one of the best middleweights in UFC history. The Australian moved up to 185 pounds after going 3-2 as a UFC welterweight, and “The Reaper” has been one of the division’s best ever since.
He’s won 14 of his 17 fights in the UFC’s 185-pound division, with his only losses coming to fighters who went on to capture championship gold. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t tasted championship success, however. Whittaker captured the interim 185-pound title with victory over Yoel Romero back in 2017 and was later promoted to the undisputed champion before losing his belt to Israel Adesanya in October 2019.
He’s beaten a who’s who of the middleweight division and produced a stellar display last time out against Ikram Aliskerov to put himself right back in the championship picture.
He’ll face Chimaev, whose UFC career has been characterised as much by his absences as it has been by his victories. The Chechen-born Swedish fighter is undefeated at 13-0, and in his last fight he battled to a majority decision win over late replacement opponent and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in his last outing.
But, despite a string of dominant victories wins inside the Octagon, Chimaev has battled illness and injuries throughout his UFC run, meaning that he’s fought just seven times in four years. Had he remained fit throughout that entire time, he’d almost certainly have fought for the middleweight title already. But now he gets his chance to potentially book a title shot when he faces former champ Whittaker in Abu Dhabi.
Keys to Victory
The bout offers a marked contrast in styles. Despite both men having experience as welterweights, Chimaev is the bigger, stronger man at 185 pounds, and his wrestling and grappling prowess gives him the edge in the mat scrambles if the fight goes to the floor. If the fight ends up on the canvas, the odds will swing significantly in Chimaev’s favour.
But every fight starts standing up, and in that aspect, the fight looks much more evenly matched. Whittaker is undoubtedly the more technical striker, but Chimaev probably carries the greater one-shot knockout threat. If Whittaker can avoid Chimaev’s biggest shots, he should have the footwork and movement to pick apart “Borz” on the feet.
But there’s more to the fight than just striking and grappling. Cardio could play a major part, too. That’s because the fight has been booked over the championship duration of five, five-minute rounds.
That offers Whittaker another potential path to victory. The Aussie’s cardio is among the very best, not just in the middleweight division but in the whole of the UFC, while Chimaev’s gas tank was tested hard in his bouts with Usman and Gilbert Burns.
If Whittaker can drag the fight into deep waters, he has the cardio and the ability to give Chimaev some major problems. Chimaev always starts fast and always looks for an early finish. But, the longer the fight goes, the better things should get for Whittaker. But, in order to do that, he’s got to survive the first three rounds first.
Robert Whittaker v Khamzat Chimaev Betting Tips
The matchup features two contrasting styles and two contrasting potential outcomes. One thing that does seem certain is that Whittaker will be put through the wringer during the fight.
With #WhatOddsPaddy, you have the chance to build your own bet. Whether you think Whittaker will weather the storm and get the win, or Chimaev will blast past “The Reaper” en route to a title shot.
Here are a couple of options you might want to consider ahead of fight night:
Khamzat Chimaev to land 2+ takedowns and win by submission
Robert Whittaker to be knocked down and win by decision
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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