Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis Pick, 7/8/2023 Predictions UFC 290 Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 7/3/2023

Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis

UFC 290

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Robert Whittaker will face off with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290 on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The moneyline has Whittaker priced at -400 while Plessis is coming in at +290.

Robert "The Reaper" Whittaker steps into the cage with a record of 25-6-0. The 32-year-old is weighing in at 185 lbs and measures in at 6'0". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 73". Dricus "Stillknocks" Du Plessis stands in at 6'1" and will fight at 185 lbs. The switch fighter steps into the cage with a mark of 19-2-0. The 29-year-old has an arm span of 76". Concerning significant strikes, Robert Whittaker is connecting on 4.48 per minute and Dricus Du Plessis is connecting on 6.72 significant strikes per minute. Whittaker lands 42% of the significant strikes he tries and Du Plessis lands 55%. Regarding defending in the Octagon, "The Reaper" takes 3.26 significant strikes per min and "Stillknocks" absorbs 3.73. Whittaker also thwarts 61% of the significant strikes his opponents throw his way and Du Plessis is able to defend against 53% of the strikes thrown his way.

UFC 290	Robert Whittaker	Dricus Du Plessis
Opening Odds	-400	+290
Record	25-6-0	19-2-0
Average Fight Time	14:25	9:33
Height	6'0"	6'1"
Weight	185 lbs	185 lbs
Reach	73"	76"
Strikes Landed Per Minute	4.48	6.72
Striking Accuracy	42%	55%

In terms of takedowns, Robert Whittaker is the lesser skilled grappler as he scores a takedown 0.82 times per 3 rounds. Whittaker is scoring a takedown on 37% of his attempts and stuffing 84% of all takedowns attempted by his opposition. Du Plessis is finishing his takedown tries on 47% of his takedown tries and is stopping 50% of the attempts against him. In terms of submissions, Whittaker is not as skilled of a technician by going for 0.7 submissions per 3 rds while Du Plessis tries 1.3 submissions per 3 rds.

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The last time he stepped into the Octagon, Robert Whittaker faced Marvin Vettori and ended up getting the victory via unanimous decision in round 3. Vettori landed 38 of 121 total strikes that he let go in that fight. Whittaker walked away from this fight having landed 74 of 166 total strikes. In terms of significant strikes, Vettori landed 33 of 116, which gave him a percentage of 28%. He ended up landing 15 of 94 significant strikes aimed at the head. On the other side of the cage, Whittaker ended up landing 44% of the significant strikes he threw by landing 74 of 166. Of all the significant strikes, he was 49 of 138 pointed at the head. 100% of the significant strikes connected on by Vettori and 97% of them landed by Whittaker were done at distance.

In the last Octagon appearance for Dricus Du Plessis, he battled Derek Brunson and took home the victory by punches to the head from guard in round 2. Brunson ended up landing 81% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance while Plessis connected on 74% of his significant strikes at distance. Plessis ended up landing 61% of the significant strikes he attempted by landing 71 of 115. He landed 55 of 97 significant strikes to the head. Brunson connected on 37 of 84 significant strikes in that battle. Out of those significant strikes, he ended up landing 27 of 71 to the head. Relating to the strikes he fired off in this contest, Brunson landed 43 of 90 while Plessis connected on 84 of 132 of all the strikes he attempted.

Other bouts on the card to watch

Another bout that you're not going to want to miss is when Jalin Turner fights Dan Hooker. Turner walks into the cage holding a record of 13-6-0. The 28-year-old records a weight of 155 lbs and measures in at 6'3". The southpaw fighter reaches 77". Hooker comes in at 6'0" and is fighting at 155 lbs. The switch fighter comes into this fight holding a mark of 22-12-0. The 33-year-old has a wingspan of 75". In terms of takedowns, Jalin Turner takes his opponents down 0.89 times per 3 rounds and Dan Hooker gets a takedown 0.85 times per 15 minutes. Regarding striking, Turner tags his opponents 5.63 strikes per min and landing 46% of his attempted strikes. On the other side of the cage you've got Dan Hooker, who tags the opposition on 47% of the strikes he has attempted and connects on 4.83 per min.

Another bout to watch is when Tresean Gore is set to square up in the Octagon with Bo Nickal. Nickal walks into the cage holding a mark of 4-0-0. The 27-year-old will fight at 185 lbs and measures in at 6'1". The southpaw fighter stretches 76". Gore stands in at 6'0" and records a weight of 185 lbs. The switch fighter looks to add a victory to his career record of 5-2-0. The 29-year-old stretches 75". In the category of takedowns, Bo Nickal is thwarting 15% of the takedowns his opponents try and is scoring a takedown on 57% of his attempts. Gore is taking his opponents to the mat on 71% of his attempts and prevents 81% of takedowns his opponents have tried. In the category of striking, Nickal takes 0.21 strikes per minute and he is dealing 1.67 per min. Gore, notwithstanding, is absorbing 6.13 strikes/minute and connects on 3.04 per minute.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Robert Whittaker (-400)

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Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis Pick, 7/8/2023 Predictions UFC 290 Odds

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