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One final stop on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi sends the promotion out in style with 15 bouts on the UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till card. There are several intriguing fights lined up with the headliner between middleweight contenders getting most of the attention. Former division champ Robert Whittaker (20-5) enters the octagon for the first time since losing the title to Israel Adesanya last fall, stopping a nine-bout winning streak. Till fights for the second time at 185, showing he belongs with a split decision win over Kevin Gastelum last November. Be sure to claim your generous welcome bonus at Bookmaker (bonus is a maximum of $1000).
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It’s not quite octogenarians in the octagon, but in UFC years it’s pretty close. The co-main event pits legendary Brazilians against each other with 38-year old Mauricio Rua (26-11-1) installed as the -185 favorite to knock off 44-year-old Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (23-9). Just over a year after announcing his retirement, Alexander Gustafsson (18-6) returns to the octagon, this time as a heavyweight. He isn’t easing his way back, either. Looking to make an impact in the division, his first challenge is against former belt-holder Fabricio Werdum.
To whet your appetite for an explosive main card there will be eight prelim bouts. Check out updated odds for every fight on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card at BookMaker.eu and place your wager. The prelims get started at 5 p.m. ET with the main card scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET. All bouts can be seen on ESPN and ESPN+.
UFC Fight Night Odds at BookMaker.eu
Main Card
Darren Till -103 vs. Robert Whittaker -127
4.5 Rounds Over +110/Under -140
Mauricio Rua -185 vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira +146
1.5 Rounds Over -130 / Under +100
Fabricio Werdum +264 vs. Alexander Gustafsson -355
2.5 Rounds Over -110 / Under -120
Carla Esparza +143 vs. Marina Rodriguez -180
2.5 Rounds Over -450 / Under +322
Paul Craig -135 vs. Gadzhimurad Antigulov +105
1.5 Rounds Over +102 / Under -133
Alex Oliveira -175 vs. Peter Sobotta +139
2.5 Rounds Over -130 / Under +100
Khamzat Chimaev -1250 vs. Rhys McKee +675
1.5 Rounds Over +172 / Under -220
Prelims
Francisco Trinaldo -150 vs. Jai Herbert +120
2.5 Rounds Over -175 / Under +139
Nicolas Dalby -260 vs. Jesse Ronson +201
2.5 Rounds Over -220 / Under +172
Tom Aspinall -220 vs. Jake Collier +172
1.5 Rounds Over -150 / Under +120
Movsar Evloev -200 vs. Mike Grundy +158
2.5 Rounds Over -235 / Under +183
Tanner Boser -265 vs. Raphael Pessoa +204
2.5 Rounds Over -165 / Under +131
Bethe Correia +124 vs. Pannie Kianzad -155
2.5 Rounds Over -440 / Under +316
Ramazan Emeev -410 vs. Niklas Stolze +298
2.5 Rounds Over -275 / Under +211
Nathaniel Wood -535 vs. John Castaneda +371
2.5 Rounds Over +100 / Under -130
Darren Till (18-2-1, 10 KOs, 2 SUBs) vs. Robert Whittaker (21-5, 10 KOs, 5 SUBs)
Talk about sub plots this fight is filled with them. Not only are both fighters looking for a shot at the belt, they have to overcome some recent struggles to get there. Following two grueling fights with Yoel Romero, the first of which got him the interim middleweight belt, Whittaker was running on empty in his title defense against Adesanya. A second round KO was Whittaker’s first setback since 2014. He also lost his passion for the sport. The fire has apparently been reignited. “My head space has undergone the biggest changes. I’m just enjoying the game again.” We’ll see how much enjoyment he gets tangling with Till, who was impressive in his win over Gastelum. Till opened his career with an 18-fight unbeaten streak and reinvented himself after consecutive losses. With Adesanya scheduled to take on top contender Paulo Costa in a few months, the winner of this bout could be next in line for a title shot.
UFC Pick: Robert Whittaker / Decision
Fabricio Werdum (23-9-1, 6 KOs, 11 SUBs) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (18-6, 11 KOs, 3 SUBs)
Inactivity and retirement didn’t turn oddmakers away from Gustafsson, who opened as a substantial favorite. The three-time light heavyweight title challenger moves up in class for his return and he might be better suited as a heavyweight. His speed and quickness gives him an advantage over Werdum, who appears to be on the downslope of his career following consecutive losses. The Brazilian is 3-3 since losing the belt to Stipe Miocic in 2016, and he’s dropped the last two. Getting KOd by Alexander Volkov in a winnable fight has me leaning toward the rested Swede.
UFC Pick: Alexander Gustaffson / TKO / 2nd Round
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.
- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
