UFC 234: Whittaker vs Gastelum Odds and Predictions

• Will Robert Whittaker successfully defend his middleweight belt for the first time at UFC 234 on February 9th?
• Can Whittaker push his winning streak to 10?
• Will Anderson Silva be able to turn back the clock to beat Israel Adesanya?

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year will take place in Melbourne, Australia, and the middleweight title will be on the line.

In the main event, Robert Whittaker will be looking to defend his middleweight title for the first time since becoming the champion on December 7th, 2017. Although he fought Yoel Romero in 2018, the fight was a non-title fight given Romero missed weight. Now, he will be taking on Kelvin Gastelum.

The fights will take place on February 9th in North America but on February 10th in Australia.

UFC 234: Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

After just fighting once in 2018, Robert Whittaker (20-4) is back and ready to defend his belt on home soil. He is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak dating back to June of 2014 and is undefeated at middleweight in the UFC. Whittaker won the interim middleweight title over Yoel Romero at UFC 213 in July of 2017 and was promoted to undisputed champion in December after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title. His last fight was at UFC 225 in June in which he defeated Yoel Romero again by split-decision.

Kelvin Gastelum (15-3, with one no-contest) will be fighting for the UFC title for the first time in his career. Gastelum is on a two-fight winning streak after knocking out Michael Bisping in November of 2017 and then defeating Jacare Souza by split-decision in May.

Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum Tale of the Tape

Whittaker has more experience than Gastelum, and has fought in a title fight before. Fighting for the title is a whole different animal, as well the fight is in Whittaker’s home country. Whittaker will not have to fly anywhere or get used to a new time zone, where as Gastelum will. As well, Whittaker has tremendous takedown defense and their striking is rather similar.

However, cardio should play a big role as Whittaker likes to fight his pace. I see Whittaker winning by fourth-round TKO to remain the UFC’s middleweight champion.

Pick: Robert Whittaker (-270)

UFC 234: Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva Odds

This fight will feature the biggest favorite and underdog on the card and there is a big reason why.

Israel Adesanya has been brilliant since joining the UFC, while Anderson Silva has struggled as of late and hasn’t fought since February of 2017. The fight is an important one as well, as the winner will most likely be getting the next title shot against the winner of Whittaker vs Gastelum.

Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva Tale of the Tape

There is no question how this fight will go. Adesanya has said he is “a clone” of Silva but is a “better clone” and he gets the chance to prove it in the co-main event.

Silva will be a tough out, but hasn’t fought in nearly two years and won’t be able to match the pace Adesanya sets early.

Ultimately, Silva will be a tough out, but hasn’t fought in nearly two years and won’t be able to match the pace Adesanya sets early. In the end, I see this being a second-round TKO win for Adesanya, but could very well end in the first. This should be an easy fight for Adesanya and the oddsmakers agree.

Pick: Israel Adesanya (-700)