Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis fight Saturday in UFC 290 at the T-Mobile Arena. Whittaker enters this fight with a 24-6 record and has won 42 percent of his fights by decision. du Plessis enters this fight with a 19-2 record and has won 53 percent of his fights by submission.

Robert Whittaker Betting Preview

Whittaker has won 10 of his last 12 fights and is coming off a September win over Marvin Vettori. Whittaker is averaging 4.48 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 42 percent. Whittaker is averaging 0.82 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 37 percent. Whittaker is coming off a decision win at UFC Fight Night 209 where he landed 74 total strikes and produced 1 takedown. Whittaker has seen each of his last 5 fights go the distance, and he’s won 10 of his 13 career decisions. Whittaker is a high volume, powerful striker who has knockout power, and he’s a black belt in Hapkido, BJJ and Gōjū-ryū karate. Whittaker is more than willing to trade blows on the feet, and despite sometimes being hit more than you’d like, he’s only been knocked out twice in his career. Whittaker also has a wrestling background, so he’s more than comfortable on the canvas, and his conditioning is some of the best in the middleweight division. This will be Whittaker’s sixth career fight in Nevada.

Dricus du Plessis Betting Preview

du Plessis has won each of his last 7 fights and is coming off a March win over Derek Brunson. du Plessis is averaging 6.72 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 55 percent. du Plessis is averaging 2.83 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 47 percent. du Plessis is coming off a knockout win at UFC 285 where he landed 84 total strikes and produced 1 takedown. du Plessis is now 5-0 under the UFC banner, and 18 of his 19 career wins have been finishes. du Plessis is a polished striker who is a black belt in kickboxing, and he throws fast and heavy strikes. du Plessis is also an above average wrestler with 10 career submissions, which includes a face crank at UFC 282. du Plessis can take some damage on the feet and his takedown defense isn’t great, but he’s a balanced finisher and at just 29 years old, he’s somebody to watch closely. This will be du Plessis’ fifth career fight in Nevada.

H2H History 

There’s no fight history between these 2 fighters.

Randy’s Free Pick

du Plessis’ finish ability on the feet and on the canvas makes him a live dog. However, Whittaker is the more experienced fighter of the two, and him proving time and time again he can win lengthy fights is why I lean him in this bout. du Plessis has had just one fight go the distance, so his cardio is still in question. You can argue a slower starter like Whittaker gets better as the fight drags out. du Plessis has to prove he can survive on this stage, particularly in a longer fight.

Give me Whittaker in a decision.