UFC Betting: Khabib vs Gaethje Odds Preview

Khabib Nurmagomedov makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje.

The main event this weekend is a UFC lightweight title unification bout between UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov and interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. At Bovada Sportsbook, Nurmagomedov is a -325 favorite and Gaethje a +250 underdog.

Nurmagomedov remains undefeated in his MMA career at 28-0 with eight wins by knockout and 10 by submission. It’s been more than a year since Nurmagomedov last fought. His most recent fight was at UFC 242 in September 2019 when he successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier with a third-round submission as a -588 favorite.

Gaethje has won his last four fights to improve his record to 22-2 with 19 wins by KO. He last fought in May at UFC 249 where he became UFC interim lightweight champion by defeating Tony Ferguson with a fifth-round TKO as a +175 underdog.

Cannonier favored over Whittaker in middleweight match

Also on the main card this weekend is a middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier. At Bovada, Cannonier is a slim -120 favorite and Whittaker a -110 underdog.

Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, is 10-1 in his last 11 fights and boasts an overall record of 21-5 with nine wins by KO and five by submission. He last fought at UFC on ESPN 14 in July, defeating Darren Till by unanimous decision as a -175 favorite.

Cannonier has won his last three fights and his overall record stands at 13-4 with nine wins by KO and two by submission. His last fight was at UFC Fight Night 160 in September 2019 when he defeated Jack Hermansson by second-round TKO as a +195 underdog.

Heavyweights Volkov, Harris both coming off setbacks

One other interesting bout on the main card this weekend is a heavyweight tilt between two fighters coming off losses, Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris. At Bovada, Volkov is a -190 favorite and Harris a +155 underdog.

Volkov is 31-8 with 20 wins by KO. He last fought at UFC on ESPN 11 in June, losing to Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision as a +250 underdog.

Harris is 13-8 and one no contest, with all 13 wins by KO. He last fought at UFC on ESPN 8 in May and lost to Alistair Overeem by second-round TKO as a -170 favorite.