UFC Fight Night 209: Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori Picks and Predictions

Robert Whittaker and Marvin Vettori face off on Saturday in a middleweight showdown for the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 209 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. Whittaker is ranked 1st in the division while Vettori is ranked second. 

Robert Whittaker comes into this fight with a 24-6 record overall and coming into this one he has won 12 of his last 14 fights. The two losses during that stretch for Whittaker came against Israel Adesanya, including in his last fight. Whittaker had four takedowns in the last fight but was outstruck 79-59 and that led to the loss. Two fights ago against Kevin Gastelum, Whittaker outstruck his opponent 150-62, and that led to the unanimous decision victory. Whittaker is averaging 4.45 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.32 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 0.81 takedowns every 15 minutes and is successful on 35 percent of the attempts. He also stops 83 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts. 

On the other side of this matchup is Marvin Vettori and he is sits with an 18-5-1 record overall. Vettori has won six of his last seven fights, and his only loss came against Adesanya two fights ago. Vettori is averaging 4.35 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.48 significant strikes per minute. He likes to get the fight to the ground and is averaging 2.04 takedowns every 15 minutes. He is successful on 45 percent of his takedown attempts and stops 75 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts.