Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum Betting Pick and Analysis

Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum are set to compete in just a few days! Many analysts believe this bout will end up deciding the next challenger to Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title. Today, I’ll offer a quick Whittaker vs Gastelum betting pick with a breakdown of how they match up against one another.

Odds	Kelvin Gastelum	Robert Whittaker
Moneyline Odds	+225	-265
Over/Under Odds	Over 4.5 (-150)	Under 4.5 (+120)

This is one of the biggest middleweight bouts thus far in 2021. It should be an excellent clash of styles between these two elite strikers. Before breaking down the different weapons these men bring to the game, I will talk about the best site available to bet on this bout.

Let’s get into it!

Here’s How to Bet on Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum Online

The sport of MMA seems to be growing every single month. As a result, a huge number of people are now choosing to bet on major events every week. More fans are beginning to realize how lucrative MMA betting can really be.

This Saturday’s UFC card is one of the best in recent memory. It’s headlined by two of the best 185-pound fighters on the planet. The main card of this event is also featuring a large number of incredible matchups between contenders.

Obviously, fans are now asking where they can bet on this matchup. I am always quick to recommend BetOnline. This website launched nearly a decade ago and has grown to become one of the very best MMA betting websites in the US. It’s the perfect option for any fans with their own Whittaker vs Gastelum betting pick.

BetOnline’s odds are some of the best you will find online. I also love the huge range of different wagering options available here. Unlike many other online sportsbooks, BetOnline provides its members with individual prop bets for every fight on major UFC events.

Don’t be concerned about safety here. This site has gained a reputation as one of the most secure internet sportsbooks operating today. There are a variety of fantastic payment options. These are processed quickly and come with very low fees.

Check out our BetOnline review today for more information. Head over to the MMA section to see the odds being offered for this weekend’s card. Now, let’s take a look at this event’s big main event.

Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum: Tale of the Tape

As many fans are aware, Whittaker and Gastelum were originally supposed to compete in the Octagon back in early 2019. Unfortunately, Whittaker was pulled from the bout due to an abdominal hernia. They were never matched up again until now.

This fight is a long-time coming and everyone is trying to figure out who is coming in with the advantage. Their skills are both very evenly matched. Some believe the physical attributes they bring to the cage will be the deciding factor. These numbers are changing the Whittaker vs Gastelum betting pick that fans are coming up with.

🇦🇺 @RobWhittakerMMA is unstoppable once he senses the finish!

[ #UFCVegas24 | Saturday on ESPN and #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/rmNgWa5xvk

— UFC (@ufc) April 15, 2021

With that in mind, now is a great time to break down the attributes between these two men. Below is the tale of the tape for Saturday’s big matchup.

Robert Whittaker

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Reach: 73”
• Age: 30

Kelvin Gastelum

• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Reach: 71.5”
• Age: 29

There aren’t any massive differences here. Whittaker has the slight two-inch height advantage. He’ll also come into this fight with a reach advantage. Kelvin Gastelum has found success against taller fighters in the past, though.

Skills are what will be the biggest factor in this matchup. Whittaker and Gastelum are without a doubt two of the most skilled middleweight fighters on the planet. They’re both dangerous on the feet and have underrated ground games.

Let’s talk about the best ways these two fighters can secure the victory this weekend.

Whittaker vs Gastelum: Paths to Victory

The UFC’s middleweight division is quickly becoming one of the most interesting in MMA. There has been an ongoing race among the contenders to earn a shot at the title here. Most believe that the winner of this bout on Saturday will end up getting that shot.

Robert and Kelvin recognize that fact. They will both be doing everything they can to secure the victory on Saturday night. Of course, the best ways for each of them to accomplish that goal are slightly different.

There is a good reason why so many fans expect a war in this matchup. Here’s how I think both fighters can get a win in the easiest way possible.

Robert’s Goal

Between 2017 and 2019, Robert Whittaker was widely considered to be the best middleweight fighter on the planet. He showed tremendous striking skills during his run in the division and also had some of the best defensive wrestling in the division. Those two skills will be key on Saturday night.

I expect Whittaker to try to keep this fight on the feet. He will also want to remain mostly at kicking range against Kelvin Gastelum. From there, he can land hard body and head kicks like he did against Jared Cannonier back in October.

Using his wrestling skills in reverse to keep this fight standing will be key, too. If Kelvin shoots for takedowns, Rob will want to sprawl and land hard shots to discourage him. Robert is one of the best kickboxers in the world and seems likely to win if that is where he can keep this fight. Whittaker enters this bout as the -265 favorite and is the top option for most individuals with a Whittaker vs Gastelum betting prediction.

Kelvin’s Goal

Kelvin Gastelum first burst onto the UFC scene as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter. He was chosen last on the show, but went on to win it without much difficulty. He has since gone on to become one of the best middleweight fighters on the roster.

Gastelum began his career as mostly a wrestler. He’s since developed elite striking skills. I believe he will rely more on his early wrestling skills against Robert Whittaker. He took a similar approach in his most recent bout against Ian Heinisch.

Getting Whittaker to the floor won’t be easy, but it’s likely his best path to victory. I also believe that Gastelum can find success at boxing range against Rob. Mixing up his takedowns and hard punches on the feet could end up earning him the victory in this bout. Gastelum is listed as the +225 underdog in this bout.

Final Whittaker vs Gastelum Betting Pick

I can recall having a difficult time making a Whittaker vs Gastelum betting pick when it was originally supposed to take place in 2019. It was difficult once again in 2021. This time, however, I feel more confident that one man has the better overall skills to win.

This won’t be a walk in the park for either fighter. I am expecting a real battle here and both men will need to dig deep in order to win. They have both proven capable of doing so in the past, so that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

It wasn’t easy, but I’ve finally come up with my official Whittaker vs Gastelum betting prediction that can be pursued at UFC betting sites online. Without further ado…

Robert Whittaker Wins Via 4th-Round TKO

Robert Whittaker seems determined to get his middleweight title back. In reality, he should have already earned a rematch with Israel Adesanya. He’s 2-0 since losing the title and has defeated two of the top contenders in the division.

I believe Whittaker will use his kicking game to great effect here. Gastelum has shown a tendency to get hit with big kicks in the past. After wearing him down with these shots to the body, Whittaker will land one head kick to the head in the fourth round that will lead to a TKO finish.

Whittaker will need to stay away from the boxing and wrestling game of Kelvin in this matchup. He’s been stopped with punches in the past. If he stays at kicking range, this is a fight he walks away from as the winner.

Conclusion

It now seems almost guaranteed that the winner of Whittaker-Gastelum will earn the next title shot at 185 pounds. That puts some serious pressure on both of these men. I am expecting both of them to land hard shots in a technical chess match.

This is just one of the exciting matchups taking place on this card. The co-main event between Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose should also be an extremely exciting clash between strikers. Stay tuned for a betting breakdown of this matchup, too!

Do you agree with my Whittaker vs Gastelum betting pick? How do you see this Saturday’s main event playing out? Let us know in the comments section below.