Judges' Cards: UFC 271 Adesanya vs. Whittaker Expert Betting Picks

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 4:05 AM EST • 4 minute read

The UFC hosts its annual Super Bowl weekend event this Saturday, as Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight belt in a rematch with former champion Robert Whittaker. The card also features potential title eliminator bouts in the heavyweight and middleweight divisions. Here are our UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker betting picks.

Saturday’s card features an Octagon-shaking heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa, as well as a highly anticipated middleweight affair between Jared Cannonier and Derek Brunson.

Our experts offer up their top picks and best bets for the UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker card.

UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker Expert Picks

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All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook as of Feb. 10, 2022. UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker picks made by Johnny Covers and Kyle Smith.

UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker Locks

O’Neill (-375)

Since opening a -250 favorite, the odds have only gotten longer for O’Neill. However, a closer look shows that's for good reason.

Her significant strike accuracy is 68.34% and among the best in the women’s flyweight division, and it's 25% higher than Modafferi's. She also lands nearly twice as many significant strikes per minute at 5.48 (vs. 2.97), as well as almost triple the average number of takedowns per 15 minutes at 3.83 (vs. 1.30). - Covers

https://twitter.com/johnewing/status/1492513828961243138

Lewis-Tuivasa to end via KO/TKO (-380)

This bet isn’t the most lucrative at -380, but there isn't a more likely outcome on the entire card. Both fighters pack nuclear warheads in their fists, and neither is shy about slinging absolute leather.

Someone is going to be flat on their back counting the lights by the end of this. - Smith

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UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker Top Underdog Picks

Rojo (+290)

The money moved sharply in the direction of the favorite Kyler Phillips in this one before seeing some buyback in the +290 range on Rojo, which is where I’m grabbing it. Though Rojo’s significant striking accuracy trails behind Phillips by about 13%, he’s throwing at about the same volume, landing 5.1 per minute.

It’s also worth noting that the sample size for Rojo is just one fight in the UFC, and a look back at his fights with other promotions shows a strong fighter in the striking department. If Rojo can keep this one off the ground, where Phillips excels, he has a real shot. - Covers

Malkoun (+100)

Malkoun is only a slight underdog in this bout, but I’m mostly picking favorites on Saturday night. I expect Malkoun to repeatedly take down and out-grapple Dobson for 15 minutes en route to a decision victory.

For those feeling froggy, I expect a much better performance from Whittaker in the main event, so he’s definitely a live 'dog at +250. I don’t think he deserves to be that big of an underdog despite his poor performance in the first bout with Adesanya. - Smith

UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker Top Prop Picks

Lewis-Tuivasa total rounds Over 1.5 (+148)

Everyone and their bookie expect this to be a rather quick fight, with two of the most powerful heavyweights on the planet squaring off in the co-main event. I’m not so sure, however.

Despite the narrative, prior to his first-round knockout of Chris Daukaus in December, you have to go all the way back to 2016 for the last Lewis fight that ended in Round 1. - Covers

Lewis to win via KO/TKO (-120)

“The Black Beast” doesn’t just crack chins, he shatters them. Twenty-one of Lewis’ 26 victories have come via KO/TKO, and he completely ran roughshod over Daukausin December. Tuivasa should be a willing participant in any potential firefight, and, as such, might find himself taking an unscheduled trip to the shadow realm. - Smith

UFC 271: Adesanya-Whittaker Bold Predictions

Rojo by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 (+1600)

Casual fight fans perhaps don't realize that this will be Rojo's first full camp as a UFC fighter. His first fight was a short-notice loss to Charles Jourdain. His cardio wasn't at the level he needed it to be, and he gassed out to open the door for Jourdain to win.

However, Rojo won three of his four fights prior to joining the UFC via TKO, and all came in the first round. Looking to make a splash on the biggest stage of his career, don’t be shocked if that’s exactly what he does again. - Covers

Adesanya by points (+170)

This isn’t the boldest prediction, but I do see this fight playing out much differently than their first encounter. I expect Whittaker to display more patience and even bust out a few takedowns to disrupt Adesanya’s vaunted striking.

And though Adesanya should emerge with his hand raised, it won’t be the result of a highlight-reel finish. Instead, Whittaker will drag him to the depths for 25 grueling minutes. - Smith

Where to Bet on UFC 271

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