UFC 243: Robert Whittaker v Israel Adesanya fight preview, odds & tips

Free MMA tips for the UFC middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, from 3am Saturday night
Prelims from 1am

Best bet

Israel Adesanya by decision
1pt 7-2 Betfred

Fight preview

Around 60,000 fans will pack out the aptly named Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia to see the two biggest superheroes in Australasian mixed martial arts history - Bobby Knuckles and The Last Stylebender - collide for the UFC middleweight title, and it couldn't be closer in the betting.

Australian champion Robert Whittaker faces New Zealander Israel Adesanya, who became interim champ while Whittaker was sidelined with an injury, and many betting firms have both men at odds of 10-11 to emerge victorious as the 185lb king.

Dripping with charisma, Adesanya is seen by many as the future of MMA despite being two years older than Whittaker. He made his UFC debut only last year but has made a huge impact, taking inspiration for his flamboyant style from Bruce Lee movies and Manga cartoons.

He has a 75-5 record as a kickboxer, and is undefeated in MMA with 17 wins (six in the UFC) including defeats of legend Anderson Silva and most recently contender Kelvin Gastelum, which earned him the interim belt in April.

Whittaker was originally supposed to have defended his title against Gastelum, but was forced to pull out of the event just a few hours before to have emergency surgery on an abdominal hernia of the intestine and a twisted and collapsed bowel.

Whether he is still suffering the after effects of that operation remains to be seen, but it is something that punters must factor in.

Whittaker has been out of action for 16 months, and before that had two brutal wars with monstrous puncher Yoel Romero - both fights lasted the full five rounds and, although he won them via close decisions, they may have left lasting damage.

Adesanya was also hurt against Gastelum, but he proved he has the conditioning to go 25 minutes and overcome adversity, and he may be in better physical condition that Whittaker at this stage of their careers.

Stylebender is four inches taller and has a significant reach advantage, although Whittaker is a better wrestler and will look to close the distance and inflict damage in the clinch and up against the fence.

Adesanya has great movement and, although he plays a risky game with defence at times and could be in trouble if Whittaker is able to land his power punches and kicks, his style may give him the edge if it goes to the scorecards.

Four of his last five have gone the distance, as have four of Whittaker's last six, and odds of 7-2 that Stylebender emerges with the belt are worth snapping up.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport