Here is the third edition of MMA Rumors. With fight announcements, the odd piece of breaking news and more, we figured we’d throw some rumours at you daily, well as best we can. Today’s rumours feature Alexander Volkov vs Curtis Blaydes and from the world of boxing, Canelo Alvarez vs Billy Joe Saunders.
MMA Rumours
Heavyweight Showdown
Reported on Twitter, there is a potential to see a quality heavyweight showdown. Supposedly set for June in Canada, Blaydes will face off against Volkov in a pivotal fight in the heavyweight division. There seems to be some heat behind this rumour, especially as it makes a lot of sense.
⚡️🔥 Volkov – Blaydes in Canada, June.
Per my sources. pic.twitter.com/sLzxUhdvZq— Alexey Safonov (@1safonoff) March 5, 2020
Blaydes
13-2 in his professional career, having only lost to one man (Francis Ngannou), Blaydes is deserving of his #3 ranking. Notching wins against Mark Hunt, Alistar Overeem and Junior dos Santos, all in dominant fashion, Blaydes is a problem for anyone in the heavyweight division. Riding a three-fight winning streak, Blaydes is arguably due a title shot in the shallow division. With the division seemingly tied up, Blaydes is, unfortunately, unlikely to get a title shot next.
Volkov
‘Drago’ is ranked #7 and was potentially going to get a title shot if he had won at UFC 229. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, getting finished in the last few seconds. Prior to this, Volkov was undefeated in four UFC bouts. The former Bellator heavyweight champion clearly has the skill to do what it takes to succeed at the highest level. If this rumour is to materialise, he certainly will need to be at the top of his game against Blaydes.
Likelihood
Although nowhere close to being confirmed, this fight makes a lot of logical sense. We suggested that this is the fight to make in a previous matchmaking piece. Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik are set to lock horns in March, which will likely produce the #1 contender. If not, the winner of Blaydes and Volkov should get the shot.
Canelo Returns
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is set for his boxing return on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas. With a number of potential opponents all queuing up for the money fight in boxing, Canelo wasn’t short of potential bouts. The four-division champion is rumoured to fight in Las Vegas on May 2nd. His opponent? The WBO super-middleweight champion and undefeated Brit, Billy Joe Saunders.
The Rumour
Reported by ESPN’s Mexican account, the fight is yet to be confirmed by either DAZN, Sky Sports, Golden Boy or either fighter.
We always knew Canelo was going to fight on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Vegas, it was just a matter of who he would face. British fans were happy to see the two front runners were both from across the pond. Other than Saunders there were discussions of Canelo facing Callum Smith. Smith is the undefeated WBA (super) and Ring super-middleweight titleholder, with a record of 27-0. He certainly has the size and power to trouble Canelo if this fight were ever to be made.
Odds
It has long been suggested that judges have been biased in favour of the cash-cow that is Canelo. Many thought that he lost his first bout against Gennady Golovkin, although the judges haven’t been needed in two of his last three bouts, notching two knockouts. This is potentially why the odds are so heavy in his favour.
Saunders isn’t known for his knockout ability, despite having 14 knockouts. He put on a very underwhelming performance last time out in November.
According to Skybet, Canelo is a 1/5 favourite. They clearly don’t have a lot of confidence in Saunders’ ability to defeat Canelo, pricing him at a 7/2 underdog.
Keep an eye out on MMASucka tomorrow for more rumours.
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