Opening Odds for Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker
- Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker are scheduled to go toe-to-toe in September
- The bout will be part of a star-studded card in Australia
- Whittaker has emerged as the early favorite
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker is a title unification bout that has the entire MMA world buzzing. The UFC is targeting this prize fight for September, and Dana White vocalized his desire to have it headline a massive stadium show in Australia.
With both fighters representing New Zealand, many industry insiders are projecting that this could break prior Australian live event gate records set by the blockbuster Holly Holm vs Ronda Rousey event, a night where Whittaker defeated Uriah Hall on the main card.
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Israel Adesanya | +132 |
| Robert Whittaker | -152 |
*Odds taken on 04/17/19
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker pits the surging interim titlist at 185 lbs against the Undisputed Middleweight Champion. Adesanya only just debuted in the UFC in February 2018, but has amassed a 6-0 record and collected some UFC hardware in his fight of the year-caliber performance over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236.
Israel Adesanya had a few choice words for Robert Whittaker at the UFC 236 press conference
FULL: https://t.co/VIuDsrVcYK pic.twitter.com/43Lzh3xgZk
— TheMacLife (@Maclifeofficial) April 14, 2019
With Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker, I’ve mostly focused on Stylebender so far. Meanwhile, the truth of the matter is that Adesanaya has yet to face someone the caliber of Bobby Knuckles.
Robert Whittaker is unbeaten since moving up from Welterweight in 2014.
Robert Whittaker has two victories over violent juggernaut Yoel Romero, has finished Strikeforce Middleweight champion/perpetual top contender Jacare Souza, and is unbeaten since moving up from Welterweight in 2014.
Today’s interview with Robert Whittaker was by far my favorite one with him. Amazing stuff on the upcoming fight vs. Adesanya and the tension between the two. That fight is going to be gigantic.
Full: https://t.co/DRrBMaHqBQ pic.twitter.com/AprTMEVMq7
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 16, 2019
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker is one of the most exciting Middleweight title fights that the UFC has seen in years. The fight has a lot of competitive merit with both guys just entering their prime.
Adesanya and Whittaker Skill Analysis
The surface area perception is that Whittaker has more tools at his disposal. Israel has an extensive past as a champion kickboxer and all his finishes have come by way of (T)KO. Similarly, half of Whittaker’s wins have come by way of striking-based stoppage, but he also has five submissions and his wrestling is top notch.
Half of Whittaker’s wins have come by way of striking-based stoppage.
Whittaker qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to represent Australia as an amateur wrestler. Bobby Knuckles had to withdraw, but it still underscores his tremendous grappling acumen.
Stylebender’s grappling ability is growing by leaps and bounds between fights but I think Whittaker still has the more varied style, which makes him the best bet at this early stage.
Pick: Robert Whittaker (-152)
A part-time writer and full-time broadcaster, Dylan has hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, and covered some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage.
