Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were several canceled UFC fights recently and in the coming weeks. It’s a shame that some of these potentially great fights were taken away, but of course public health and safety is the top priority. Below are some of the betting odds for a few of the main events that were canceled/postponed. If these canceled UFC fights are rescheduled, be sure to check out Betway for odds breakdowns and best bets.
Odds for Canceled UFC Fights
Leon Edwards vs Tyron Woodley
Of all the canceled UFC fights, this one might have had the most title implications. Tyron Woodley is looking to get back into contention for the title he lost to Kamaru Usman. Leon Edwards hasn’t lost a fight since 2015 and might be one big win away from a title shot. With a win, either guy would’ve had a strong case to make for the next shot at Usman’s strap.
It might come as a surprise to less hardcore fans, but Woodley was actual the underdog against Edwards heading into this fight. They both fight tactically (or as the drunk guy at the bar would say, boring). Woodley is the stronger wrestler but Edwards is way better in the clinch and a stronger distance striker. As we saw against Usman, Woodley doesn’t like being pressured. If Edwards got Woodley’s back to the cage, it would have been a long night for the former champ.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
This fight had title implications for one of the guys involved. Francis Ngannou has been on a tear in his recent fights. His knockout power is still the absolute best in the sport, and it seems likely that he’ll be challenging for the title again very soon. Jairzinho Rozenstruik fast tracked his way to the top of the rankings by going 4-0 in 2019. His last second knockout of Alistair Overeem bumped him all the way to number six in the heavyweight rankings.
Ngannou was a huge favorite heading into this fight, getting close to -300 odds. There’s no denying that Rozenstruik has been on a tear, but Ngannou is a whole different beasts than the guys he beat to climb the rankings so fast. Oddsmakers weren’t expecting this to be a very competitive fight. But when two guys with such heavy hands get locked in a cage together, you never truly know what will happen.
Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
Top light heavyweight contenders Anthony Smith and Glover Teixiera were set to face off in Nebraska on April 25. Ranked third and eighth in the division respectively, this was an important fight for the top of the light heavyweight division. The division lacks true contenders and the champion is currently having legal problems. This was potentially a great opportunity, especially for Smith, to get himself back into title contention.
Anthony Smith was a favorite heading into this fight, but not by a crazy amount. He was anywhere from -170 to -200 depending on the book. One thing this fight was sure to deliver was fun grappling exchanges on the mat. Each guy has solid jiu-jitsu and it could’ve seen some slick moves on the floor of the cage. Hopefully this fight will be able to be rescheduled when the canceled UFC fights start being re-booked.
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