UFC 308 Preview, Odds, Picks And Predictions: Whittaker Vs. Chimaev
by Trent Reinsmith · ForbesThe UFC 308 pay-per-view fight card is fast approaching. The event takes place on Saturday, October 26, from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the headlining bout, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria puts his title on the line against former champ Max Holloway. In the co-main event, ex-UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev. Before those bouts occur, a possible title eliminator goes down in the light heavyweight division between Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic.
ESPN+ PPV carries the UFC 308 pay-per-view card at 2:00 p.m. ET, following prelims on ESPN+ at 10:00 a.m. ET
Below, we focus on the evening’s co-headliner, Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev is a rebooking of a fight that was initially set to main event a UFC on ABC fight card in June, but Chimaev dropped off that card because of illness. Whittaker remained in the headlining contest, beating late replacement Ikram Aliskerov via first-round knockout.
Robert Whittaker
Whittaker (26-7) is the No. 3 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings. The former UFC middleweight titleholder has only lost to champions and future champions over the past 10 years. Whittaker is 15-3 with the UFC since June 2014. His only losses have come to Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis.
The 33-year-old is on a two-fight winning streak since his loss to Du Plessis in a middleweight title eliminator in July 2023.
Whittaker is hopeful that a win on Saturday will earn him another shot at UFC middleweight gold. As of now, it appears as if the UFC is going to book Du Plessis against former champ Sean Strickland in the next UFC middleweight title fight.
Whittaker said of his opponent, "If you take away all the noise, he's very dangerous. There's a high-calibre wrestling game that he's adapted to MMA and he's got knockout power as well and a chin.
MORE FOR YOU
Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads In 4 Latest Surveys
NSA Tells iPhone And Android Users: Reboot Your Device Now
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Kids Defend Him In Joint Statement: Here Is The Latest News On His Federal Case
"He can take shots, he can give shots, he's a hard fight for anyone and I like being the underdog, the anomaly, it's a position of strength for me.
"For better or worse, all hard things make me better and I can only see this test, facing a guy who's 15-0, as a great test to go through. Imagine how good I'm going to be after this fight?"
Whittaker has been active this year. UFC 308 marks his third fight in 2024. One needs to go back to 2014 to find the last time he competed three times in a calendar year.
"This is my third fight this year, I haven't done that in a long time, but I feel better than I ever have. I feel strong, I feel fit, I'm excited for the test and the trial," said Whittaker.
"It's exciting because I feel it in my blood, I feel the heat, I feel locked in and dangerous, like a hunter
"That's what I've been perfecting over the last year. I'm going into this fight to be a hunter, to be dangerous."
Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev (13-0) is the No. 13 fighter in the UFC’s 185-pound division. He was ranked at No. 11 when this fight was first booked, but inactivity has cost the 30-year-old two spots in the UFC rankings.
Chimaev has not fought since October 2023 when he defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision in a middleweight contest.
Chimaev has long been considered a future UFC champion by MMA fans and pundits, but he’s struggled to stay healthy over the past few years. He fought three times in 65 days for the UFC in 2020, but he’s only competed four times since that run of three finishes opened his UFC career.
“This version of Robert Whitaker (has) been one of the best guys,” Chimaev said of his UFC 308 opponent, “But now it's my time to beat him. I can catch anyone with my takedown. Will be hard for him… I’m going to finish this guy, he’s not hungry like me. He's not that kind of fighter like me. It’s a big difference.”
UFC 308 Betting Odds: Whittaker vs. Chimaev
The opening betting odds for the UFC 308 co-main event matchup saw Whittaker open as a +155 betting underdog to Chimaev, who came in as the -195 betting favorite. Today, Whittaker is +200 and Chimaev comes in at -280.
UFC 308 Prediction and Pick: Whittaker vs. Chimaev
Look for Chimaev to start fast, as he always does. If Whittaker can weather the early storm and take Chimaev into deep waters, the fight is the former champs to lose.
For those looking for betting value, Chimaev by early stoppage is a wager worth considering. My take is that Whittaker’s cardio, chin, and fight IQ will carry him to a decision victory at UFC 308.