Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Robert Whittaker reacts following the match against Paulo Costa during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
- UFC heads to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, June 22 for an exciting fight card
- Former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker faces rising prospect Ikram Aliskerov in the main event
- Read below for full UFC Saudi Arabia odds, predictions & picks, plus how to watch
UFC is heading to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday, June 22 for an excellent fight card headlined by a middleweight clash between former champion Robert Whittaker and rising prospect Ikram Aliskerov.
Let’s break down the biggest fights of the night and give you our best bets and predictions for UFC Saudi Arabia.
UFC Saudi Arabia Odds- Main Card
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Walker | -125 | O 1.5 (-145) |
| Volkan Oezdemir | +105 | U 1.5 (+114) |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Shara Magomedov | -535 | O 1.5 (+110) |
| Antonio Trocoli | +400 | U 1.5 (-140) |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Kelvin Gastelum | -205 | O 2.5 (-250) |
| Daniel Rodriguez | +170 | U 2.5 (+190) |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Sergei Pavlovich | -218 | O 1.5 (+105) |
| Alexander Volkov | +180 | U 1.5 (-135) |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Robert Whittaker | -148 | O 2.5 (-175) |
| Ikram Aliskerov | +124 | U 2.5 (+135) |
In the UFC Saudi Arabia odds, Shara Magomedov is a large -535 favorite in his bout with Antonio Trocoli. He’s the heaviest favorite on the main card by a wide margin, boasting a 93.1% implied probability of winning on Saturday.
The main card kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, with prelims starting at noon ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
UFC Fight Night odds as of June. 12, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the best sports betting app for UFC Vegas 302.
Whittaker vs Aliskerov Prediction
In the main event, Robert Whittaker looks to continue his climb back to title contention against short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker was originally scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev before illness forced him out.
Whittaker rebounded from losing the title to Israel Adesanya with an impressive win over Paulo Costa in February. The Australian’s technical striking, speed and experience make him a formidable foe for anyone at 185 pounds. However, Aliskerov presents some intriguing challenges.
Just showing the numerous ways Robert Whittaker used his jab against Paulo Costa pic.twitter.com/zFOGpXA3VJ
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) June 17, 2024
The Russian is a powerhouse grappler with heavy hands. He’s finished his first two UFC opponents in the first round. Aliskerov took this fight on short notice and is stepping up in competition, but his well-rounded skillset could pose problems for Whittaker.
Ultimately, I believe Whittaker’s veteran savvy will be the difference. He has the striking to pick apart Aliskerov on the feet and the takedown defense to keep it standing. Aliskerov’s best path to victory is catching Whittaker early, but the former champ is too smart to get caught. Give me Whittaker to win by fourth-round TKO in an exciting fight.
- Pick: Robert Whittaker (-155)
Walker vs Oezdemir Pick
The main card opener is a light heavyweight banger between explosive strikers and Volkan Oezdemir. Both men are looking to climb into title contention in a wide-open division.
Walker is one of the most athletic fighters at 205 pounds. His unorthodox, unpredictable style makes him a threat to finish the fight at any moment. However, his aggressiveness can also leave him vulnerable defensively at times.
Jamahal Hill knocked out Johnny Walker so badly that it looked fake #UFCSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/kJoR6c0ax1
— Jon Kelly (@JonKellyDFS) June 18, 2024
Oezdemir is a more technical, methodical kickboxer. He’ll look to keep Walker at range with leg kicks and counter-strikes. The Swiss fighter has been in there with the best of the division and his experience could be key.
I lean towards Oezdemir’s more disciplined approach being effective against Walker. As long as he avoids getting clipped by something crazy, Oezdemir should be able to outpoint the Brazilian over 15 minutes. It’ll be a tight one, but I like Oezdemir’s chances of getting his hand raised.
- Pick: Volkan Oezdemir (-115)
Quick Picks and Predictions
Here are my other picks for UFC Saudi Arabia:
- Nasrat Haqparast (-240) vs. Jared Gordon – Haqparast’s speed, power, and technical striking should be too much for Gordon. The German fighter has the advantage in athleticism and youth, making him a solid favorite.
- Rinat Fakhretdinov (-340) vs. Nicolas Dalby – Fakhretdinov’s strong wrestling and grappling skills give him a clear path to victory against Dalby. The Russian should be able to control the fight on the ground and secure a decision win.
- Muin Gafurov (-155) vs. Kyung Ho Kang – Gafurov’s powerful striking and aggressive style make him a tough matchup for Kang. While the Korean fighter has good submissions, Gafurov’s heavy hands and pressure should lead him to a stoppage victory.
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (-345) vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The UFC is set to make its debut in Saudi Arabia with an action-packed fight card headlined by a middleweight clash between former champion Robert Whittaker and rising star Ikram Aliskerov. With so much on the line, fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the event and looking for some expert analysis and predictions to help guide their wagers.
Robert Whittaker is a seasoned veteran in the UFC, known for his striking prowess and well-rounded skill set. The Australian fighter is coming off a dominant win over Kelvin Gastelum and will be looking to continue his momentum against Aliskerov. On the other hand, Aliskerov is a relative newcomer to the UFC but has quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive fighting style and impressive performances. This matchup promises to be a thrilling battle between two talented fighters with contrasting styles.
In terms of betting odds, Whittaker is currently the favorite with odds of -200, while Aliskerov is the underdog with odds of +150. This means that a $200 bet on Whittaker would return a profit of $100, while a $100 bet on Aliskerov would return a profit of $150. While Whittaker is the more experienced fighter and has faced tougher competition, Aliskerov’s youth and hunger could make him a dangerous opponent for the former champion.
In addition to the main event, there are several other exciting matchups on the card that bettors should keep an eye on. In the co-main event, heavyweight contenders Shamil Abdurakhimov and Sergey Pavlovich will face off in what promises to be a hard-hitting battle. Abdurakhimov is the favorite with odds of -150, while Pavlovich is the underdog with odds of +120. This fight could go either way, so bettors should tread carefully when placing their wagers.
Overall, the UFC Saudi Arabia event is shaping up to be an exciting night of fights with plenty of betting opportunities for fans. Whether you’re backing Whittaker to continue his winning streak or looking for an upset with Aliskerov, there’s sure to be plenty of action and drama in store. As always, remember to gamble responsibly and do your research before placing any bets. Good luck!