UFC 234: Whittaker v Gastelum tips and betting preview

TV: Main Card BT Sport 2 from 3am, Prelims from 1am Saturday night

The Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne plays host to UFC 234 where Robert Whittaker defends his middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum and in the co-main event MMA legend Anderson Silva returns to the Octagon to face rising star Israel Adesanya.

Whittaker became Australia's first UFC champion thanks to two gruelling decision wins over Cuban monster Yoel Romero and is on a nine-fight winning streak. He has an excellent all-round skill set and superb take-down defence, but he faces a live challenger in Gastelum.

Gastelum is one of the shortest middleweights on the UFC roster and starts as a 2-1 underdog, but he has made a career out of upsetting the odds. He has one-punch KO power and has beaten former middleweight champion Michael Bisping and top contender Jacare Souza in his last two fights.

Backing Whittaker to win another decision should be considered, but Gastelum often thrives when the odds are against him and he has the ability to stun the Aussie fans by taking Whittaker's belt.

Anderson Silva was once the undisputed top dog but at 43 and in his first fight for two years it's hard to know what to expect, especially as he is facing one of the most exciting rising stars in the UFC.

Adesanya's freestyle skills are comparable to a younger Silva and he is undefeated in MMA, although he has never fought anyone with a record like the Brazilian martial arts master.

The younger man is a big favourite at around 1-7 in the betting, but Silva cannot be discounted.

Also on the main card, Rani Yahya v Ricky Simon is a pick 'em betting heat, Montana De La Rosa is a 2-5 favourite against Nadia Kassem and Jim Crute is 8-11 to beat Sam Alvey.

Recommendation
K Gastelum
1pt 2-1 bet365, Betfred

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