UFC in Vegas 24: Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum First Look, Odds, and Betting Picks

The UFC is back in Vegas with a middleweight of important implications. Two of the UFC’s most exciting middleweights will throw down in the octagon. Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker and the challenger Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC in Vegas 24 main event, including updated UFC odds and our free expert betting predictions.

Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum

UFC Middleweight Main Event Bout

Saturday, April 17, 2021 – 11:55 PM at UFC Apex Center

Robert Whittaker (22-5-1)

New Zealand's first UFC champion Robert Whittaker will take center stage once again, looking for a chance in reclaiming his UFC middleweight title from his only significant loss in recent years – Israel Adesanya.

Suffering a knockout loss in front of his hometown fans could not have been easy. Still, since that loss, Whittaker has proved why he was once the champion with two consecutive victories against some of the middleweight division's elite talent (Darren Till and Jared Cannonier).

Three years ago today, Robert Whittaker finished Jacare Souza in the second round. This set up a fight against Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title.#UFC
pic.twitter.com/F2ZQQejvPq

— Jon Realejo (@BloodyCanvasJon) April 15, 2020

Robert Whittaker MMA Accomplishments

• UFC Middleweight Champion (One time)

• UFC 'The Ultimate Fighter' Welterweight Tournament Winner

• UFC Fight of the Night (Four times)

• UFC Performance of the Night (Three times)

Best Available Odds: -250 with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

Kelvin Gastelum (17-6-0)

Stepping in to replace Paulo Costa, Kelvin Gastelum is a former title challenger who has a point of his own to prove.

A three-fight losing skid dropped Gastelum's middleweight ranking, but he was fortunate enough to get back on track during his most recent contest against Ian Heinisch.

As he puts in his own words, 'on a mission for gold' is something we should not take lightly. Gastelum has just turned twenty-nine, and with the level of experience faced, it would be no surprise to see the California native boost that number #9 ranked position.

Woah.

Huuuuuuuge left hand from Kelvin Gastelum!

Michael Bisping is finished for the second time in three weeks #UFCShanghai pic.twitter.com/jLyoChFT9F

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) November 25, 2017

Kelvin Gastelum MMA Accomplishments

• UFC 'The Ultimate Fighter 17' winner

• UFC Fight of the Night (Three times)

• UFC Performance of the Night (Two times)

Best Available Odds: +207 with BookMaker (visit our BookMaker Review)

How Can Gastelum Win?

Now that is a question I am recoiling from, without completely discrediting Gastelum. It is hard to envision any situation in this fight where I can give him the advantage.

Gastelum is primarily a striker, and we are not going to see him attempting to grapple versus the more skilled wrestler in Whittaker. With that said, he is also the lesser talented striker.

Ian Heinisch was not the opposition I wanted to see Gastelum defeat, a significant drop in standards when comparing his previous bouts. Although we did see him utilize some grappling, he will not have the luxury against Whittaker.

How Can Whittaker Win?

Should Rob Whittaker enter this fight with 100% health, he will have the advantage almost everywhere this fight can occur. Nobody takes him down; he is a significantly larger fighter and will possess the speed and strength advantage, in my opinion.

Vettori vs. Holland Betting Odds Advice

The top sportsbooks' current odds favor Whittaker to no surprise; besides a lucky strike, I do not see Gastelum holding an advantage whatsoever.

Through a twenty-five-minute contest, Whittaker's sharp striking skills might just leave Gastelum in some severe trouble. Still, given his durability against the heaviest hitters in the division, I think it will be the judges raising Whittaker's hand that will give him the victory.

UFC Pick: Robert Whittaker to win at -250 with BetOnline

Robert Whittaker(-250)

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UFC in Vegas 24 Main Card

• Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum (UFC middleweight main event bout)

• Drakkar Klose vs. Jeremy Stephens (UFC featherweight co-main event bout)

• Andrei Arlovski vs. Chase Sherman (UFC heavyweight bout)

• Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Jacob Malkoun (UFC middleweight bout)

• Luis Pena vs. Alex Munoz (UFC lightweight bout)

• Ricardo Ramos vs. Bill Algeo (UFC featherweight bout)

*The pick reflects the line now the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, do not forget to refer to our live odds.

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