Whittaker vs Chimaev: Prediction and Betting Odds

Khamzat Chimaev is set to face Robert Whittaker in a middleweight bout on October 26 at UFC 308, hosted at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this article, we will explore odds, predictions, and an exclusive fight preview for the Whittaker vs Chimaev clash.

Whittaker vs Chimaev Fight odds

Despite past health issues and a fight cancellation, Khamzat remains the clear favourite among bookmakers. You can bet on Chimaev's victory at odds of 11/20

Even after decisive victories against Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, Robert remains the underdog for the upcoming fight. Whittaker's odds stand at 3/2

Statistics and Physical date

Chimaev holds the advantage in both height and reach.

Robert Whittaker

• Former UFC middleweight champion. Holder of 5 "Fight of the Night" and 4 "Performance of the Night" awards. Black belt in three disciplines (hapkido, karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu).

• 33 fights, 26 wins, 7 losses.

Robert Whittaker odds to win

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Bet

3/2

What we love about Rob is his absence of trash-talking and excuses after failures. After his disappointing bout with Dricus du Plessis, he returned to the octagon to stop the massive Paulo Costa and, as promised, taught him a lesson in striking.

Despite his mistakes and Paulo’s excellent form, Rob quickly reset and clinched victory by decision. Whittaker then took on Ikram Aliskerov with the same calm demeanour, a fighter many considered a clear favourite who could easily overpower Whittaker.

But once again, Rob showed his best: controlled the distance flawlessly, read his opponent’s timings, and picked him apart with short, hopping punches. It’s likely his composure and timing that will help him withstand Chimaev’s relentless pressure.

What to Expect from Whittaker Against Chimaev?

Rob knows he shouldn’t attack aggressively from the start. Chimaev will come to him, so Whittaker’s primary strategy will be to stay on his feet against the cage as long as possible, avoiding an early takedown.

His main weapons are overhands and lightning-fast counterattacks, which Chimaev will likely struggle to react to.

Rob will fight at the longest possible distance, operating on the bounce and avoiding any stationary exchanges with Khamzat.

Whittaker’s Chances of Winning

The Reaper’s chances increase if Chimaev expends significant energy by mid-to-late second round. Therefore, a classic strategy with counterpunches will help Whittaker avoid prolonged ground combat while disrupting his opponent with short bursts.

Rob must exploit Khamzat’s eagerness to brawl, especially if the latter starts taking too many hits and seeks a quick comeback.

Sounds cliché, but it will be Whittaker’s outstanding fight IQ, endurance, and sense of distance that could once again save him.

Whittaker’s Last 5 Fights

Khamzat Chimaev

• Holder of 1 UFC "Fight of the Night" and 4 "Performance of the Night" awards. Three-time Swedish wrestling champion.Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

• 13 fights, 13 wins, 0 losses.

Khamzat Chimaev odds to win

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11/20

Interestingly, analysts rated Khamzat’s chances slightly lower before his last fight. It's unclear why he is such a one-sided favourite this time. True fans were unphased by his health issues, and his return to a full-fledged training camp, coupled with his involvement in Hype Reality, shows he hasn’t lost his form.

However, he now faces one of the smartest fighters on the roster, someone who has outsmarted even the most aggressive punchers over the distance of five rounds. Past exchanges and brawls might work against Khamzat this time around.

What to Expect from Chimaev Against Whittaker?

Borz will not remain in stance, allowing Robert to circle around and land hopping punches. While Chimaev was aggressive against Usman and took risky exchanges towards the end, he won’t be looking to prove his boxing skills against Whittaker.

Despite Chimaev's rapid progress, he will inevitably miss, expend a lot of energy on combinations, and expose himself to Rob's precise counterattacks. 

Therefore, Chimaev’s wrestling, his main and most straightforward weapon, should again take centre stage.

Chimaev’s Chances of Winning

His winning strategy hinges on prolonged ground control, with gradual attempts to secure a submission. However, Chimaev won’t be able to choke out Whittaker within the first few minutes.

The key lies in maintaining a dominant position on the ground and consistently landing accurate punches. Rob will only begin to panic if he falls significantly behind on points.

Given Chimaev’s recovery and endurance issues, the ideal game plan should be cautious yet focused on ground control. Problems might arise if Rob gets back on his feet in the fourth round, while Chimaev may lack the energy for another takedown.

Chimaev’s Last 5 Fights

Whittaker vs. Chimaev Prediction 

Notably, Rob will be the first fighter in two years to face Khamzat after a full training camp rather than on short notice. Given Robert’s tactical prowess, intelligence, and stamina, we think Khamzat will have only three rounds (or less) to submit him. Otherwise, he will struggle to block Whittaker's bounces and will take too many heavy jabs.

Considering we’re heading for a 5-round bout, we’re inclined to bet on the fight going past the halfway mark. Rob won’t be easily cornered, and Chimaev will demand a gradual pace increase and smarter “game” than what he showed against Kamaru Usman.

Nevertheless, Khamzat’s aggressive attacks and wrestling in the early rounds could earn him a premature victory. For Khamzat, this bout is his last significant chance to stay in the title race. A defeat here would make it critically difficult to maintain his media presence with such fight frequency. If this fight happens, we might finally see Borz at his peak, ending the match by mid-third round.

Our bets and predictions for the fight — the third round will begin, and Chimaev will secure the victory.

Whittaker to win

3/2

Chimaev to win

11/20

Frequently Asked Questions