UFC betting sites favor Khabib Nurmagomedov over Justin Gaethje in their not-yet-announced Lightweight Championship unification match at UFC 254. This is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship expected to take place on October 24, 2020, at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje Money Line
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Justin Gaethje | +205 |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | -245 |
Betting Justin Gaethje
The Highlight would be the underdog of the best online sportsbooks. New Zealand mixed martial artist Dan Hooker thinks “Gaethje has the skill set to beat him like a good pace and good pressure, knockout ability, and a very good defensive wrestling. If you have to design a fighter that would give Khabib trouble, I would pick the skills that are there in Justin Gaethje to get the job done against Khabib”.
Dustin Poirier agrees, saying that “If Justin can keep his back off the fence, I believe he can out-scramble Khabib in the open. I think he’s got such a pedigree in collegiate wrestling and the open mat area is gonna be where Justin shines in the wrestling. If Khabib gets him to the fence, I believe Justin will be in trouble.
We’ll see if he sticks to the game plan – I assume that’s his game plan, stick to the middle, make Khabib wrestle in the open, and throw big punches.”
However, this could all be nothing more than wishful thinking on the part of The Diamond. “If I’m to get a title shot and Justin wins then that lines itself up more, right? It’s more a guaranteed lock for me to fight for the belt because I’m the last guy to beat him,” he said. “I’m the only guy still in the organization to beat him, so it’s the fight that makes sense and I know he wants that fight as well.”
Betting Khabib Nurmagomedov
The Eagle would be the favorite of UFC betting sites. Nurmagomedov’s father passed away last month as a result of several health complications from COVID-19. Nonetheless, Khabib will fight Justin Gaethje this year as expected. UFC president Dana White is dead set on making the fight between Nurmagomedov and Gaethje happen. Khabib has kept a low profile since his father passed away but White believes that ‘The Eagle’ will return to action soon.
“I don’t think [Khabib’s return] is off the table. I’m just waiting to hear from him. I’m not messing with Khabib Nurmagomedov. And I’m leaving him alone until he’s ready to talk and letting him mourn and do what he has to do. I reached out to him the day of. I haven’t heard back from him since,” White said. Gaethje replaced Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Gaethje beat ‘El Cucuy’ via technical knockout to earn a fight against Khabib.
The Eagle withdrew from UFC 249 because of coronavirus travel restrictions. As a result, the promotion booked, as it is wont to do, an interim fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. The Highlight handed the No. 1 contender his first loss in more than seven years to earn a match with the unbeaten champion. When asked if September would still be a good date for the Nurmagomedov-Gaethje bout White did not rule it out. He answered, “I don’t think it’s off the table. I’m just waiting to hear from him.”
The Eagle has not competed since his win over Dustin Poirier back in September 2019 in Abu Dhabi. That improved his UFC record to 28-0 (8 KOs). Meanwhile, Gaethje subbed for Khabib at UFC 249 to face Tony Ferguson. He defeated Ferguson via TKO to set up a title fight against Khabib.
Gaethje vs. Nurmagomedov UFC 254 Pick
Users of UFC betting should not sweat Khabib’s dead dad. If anything, that is going to motivate him even more.
