Whittaker vs. Romero betting odds, tips & UFC 213 bookie bonuses

Sunday, July 9, 2016, Co-Main Event kicks off at 1.30pm AEST, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

AUSTRALIANS have had a long and storied past in the combat sports, but holding a UFC belt something competitors from down under have never achieved.

This could change come Sunday as Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker takes on Yoel “Solder Of God” Romero for the UFC Middleweight title at UFC 213.

All business for MW Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker at the #UFC213 Media Day. Who’ll become the interim champ? https://t.co/Bmjwp9MNNx pic.twitter.com/Bj785PHF89

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) June 29, 2017

The 26-year-old that fights out of Sydney is on one of the great win streaks in the UFC and looks destined for a long and sustained run at the top. A win on Sunday afternoon would deliver Whittaker an eighth-straight win.

Inevitably the comparisons to Australia’s latest combat sports hero Jeff Horn have come for Whittaker given what is at stake, but the Sydney-sider said he is not buying into the hype.

“Ah, I’m trying not to think about it too much,’’ Whittaker told The Daily Telegraph.

“Obviously I was super stoked for Jeff Horn to win, and win the way he did.

“It was an incredible result … but I don’t want to give that stuff too much time because it also brings pressure.

“And added pressure is something I don’t need.”

Getting past one of the hottest prospects in MMA is dangerous enough without the weight of the Australian sporting expectations for Whittaker, who faces a man on an eight-fight win streak.

While Romero possesses one of the more imposing records and physical frames in the entire company, the current Middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes the Aussie is in line to face him next.

“I think Whittaker will pull it off,” Bisping said.

“I know everyone hypes about Romero but he’s a juice-head. He tested positive not too long ago so I’d assume he’s not on anything now as he doesn’t want to get suspended again so the more time that passes, the advantages of those steroids will wear off. Whittaker is young, he’s got good footwork and boxing, and I think he knocks him out in Round 4 or 5.”

Sportsbet.com.au punters can get +1400 for Whittaker to knockout Romero in the fourth round, while a fifth round knockout yields a return of $21.

It will be a bout that Bisping will have a keen interest in after UFC President Dana White confirmed the winner’s next bout will be against the Englishman.

“(Bisping) is in line for the winner. Bisping’s never turned down a fight, this guy,” White said.

“Me and Bisping go back a long way from his season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and I’ve done a lot of things for Michael Bisping, and Michael Bisping’s done a lot of things for me.”

“We have a really good relationship and we communicate a lot, even when we’re both not really happy with the situation and what’s going on. Me and Michael will get this done.”

The UFC head man said that while it is not ideal that the champion is not taking part in this bout, fight fans could not have wished for a better match up.

“Bisping’s not ready yet,” he said.

“And if there was ever an interim title fight, how is this one not worthy? This fight’s going to be ridiculous.”

Fight preview

This is the fight that Middleweight fans wanted, a bout that arguably is my worthy of a title than either man facing off against Bisping.

FIGHTING WORDS: “He prepared himself for this, I was MADE for this” – @YoelRomeroMMA fires a warning shot to @robwhittakermma before #UFC213 pic.twitter.com/cYqKIbbaUH

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 5, 2017

Both Whittaker and Romero are on incredible win streaks and possess a plethora of tools to end opponents.

Whittaker is one of the best stand-up fighters in the division. Not only does he have a one-punch knockout in his arsenal, but his methodology of breaking down fighters through building pressure and setting the tempo sets him apart from other middleweight competitors.

Romero’s grappling speaks for itself.

The Cuban was a silver medallist at the Sydney Olympics in freestyle wrestling and is a multiple-time world champion in wrestling. He has ground opponents down in the past and beat them senseless.

This is the area many pundits think the Aussie can be exploited, but we are not so sure.

Similar concerns around his ground were raised in Whittaker’s last fight against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Ronaldo Souza, but the Sydnesider controlled the distance magnificently and ended the fight in the second round.

Prior to that bout, many had Romero as the heir apparent to the Middleweight crown, but Whittaker proved he has what it takes to beat opponents of varying styles.

This is set to be the fight of the year, and both men have genuine claims to the interim title, but we are backing Whittaker to claim Australia’s first-ever UFC belt. He has the discipline, skillset and precision to pick apart Romero, and the decisiveness to end the fight in a heartbeat.

It has been a long-time coming, but we believe it is Whittaker’s time to raise the gold for Australia.

Then it’s on to the Pom.

Robert Whittaker to win -120.48 at Sportsbet.com.au