Point of interest: Odds and opinions
The oddsmakers and public seem to be favoring the American, listing Blaydes -420 and Volkov +335 as of this writing.
Although I always say to be skeptical of a heavyweight line in MMA that shows over a 2-1 spread, I can understand the confidence in the favorite here.
Stylistically, this matchup screams “striker vs. grappler,” which tends to usually sway gamblers the grappler’s way – especially when fighting inside the small cage. And from an analyst’s perspective of having to make a pick, I also tend to like the wrestler in this spot.
Nevertheless, nothing is certain in MMA, as I could totally see Blaydes’ shelling and dipping propensities opening him up for a Volkov uppercut (a la the ones that he landed on Werdum) that ends his night early. Still, it’s hard for me not to see Blaydes corralling Volkov toward the cage to score takedowns, breaking the Russian down by the third round.
Prediction: Blaydes inside the distance
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