UFC on ABC 6 predictions: Is anyone taking Iskram Aliskerov to upset ex-champ Robert Whittaker?

The UFC is in Saudi Arabia for the first time, and a former middleweight champion headlines the card against a short-notice replacement opponent.

UFC on ABC 6 (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Johnny Walker

Johnny Walker

Records: Oezdemir (19-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC), Walker (21-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Past five: Oezdemir 2-3, Walker 3-2
Division: Light heavyweight
Rankings: Walker No. 10, Oezdemir honorable mention
Odds (as of 06.17.24): Oezdemir -105, Walker -115
Junkie pick results: Walker 9, Oezdemir 2

Shara Magomedov vs. Antonio Trocoli

Shara Magomedov

Records: Magomedov (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Trocoli (12-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Past five: Magomedov 5-0, Trocoli 3-2
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 06.17.24): Magomedov -535, Trocoli +400
Junkie pick results: Magomedov 11, Trocoli 0

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Kelvin Gastelum

Records: Gastelum (18-9 MMA, 12-9 UFC), Rodriguez (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC)
Past five: Gastelum 2-3, Rodriguez 3-2
Division: Welterweight
Rankings: None
Odds (as of 06.17.24): Gastelum -205, Rodriguez +170
Junkie pick results: Gastelum 8, Rodriguez 3

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov

Dec 3, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Sergei Pavlovich (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Tai Tuivasa (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Records: Pavlovich (18-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Volkov (37-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC)
Past five: Pavlovich 4-1, Volkov 4-1
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Pavlovich No. 3, Volkov No. 6
Odds (as of 06.17.24): Pavlovich -225, Volkov +185
Junkie pick results: Pavlovich 10, Volkov 1

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov

Robert Whittaker

Records: Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), Aliskerov (15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Past five: Whittaker 3-2, Aliskerov 5-0
Division: Middleweight
Rankings: Whittaker No. 4
Odds (as of 06.17.24): Whittaker -155, Aliskerov +130
Junkie pick results: Whittaker 10, Aliskerov 1

Check out all the main card picks below.

UFC on ABC 6 main card picks

	Whittaker vs. Aliskerov	Pavlovich vs. Volkov	Gastelum vs. Rodriguez	Magomedov vs. Trocoli	Oezdemir vs. Walker
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 99-55	Whittaker (63%)	Pavlovich (81%)	Gastelum (66%)	Magomedov (95%)	Walker (67%)
Ken Hathaway @1khathaway 103-51 2018, 2022 Champion	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 101-53	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 101-53 2014 Champion	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Nolan King @mma_kings 97-57 2023 Champion	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Rodriguez	Magomedov	Oezdemir
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 95-59	Whittaker	Volkov	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 95-59	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Simon Samano @SJSamano 94-60	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Rodriguez	Magomedov	Walker
Matt Erickson @MattE 92-62	Aliskerov	Pavlovich	Rodriguez	Magomedov	Walker
Brian Garcia @thegoze 89-65 2017 Champion	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 85-69	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Oezdemir
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 80-74	Whittaker	Pavlovich	Gastelum	Magomedov	Walker

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.