Culmination of dominance could lead to clash of two undefeated world champions

With no UFC card this weekend, attention has shifted the WBC, WBO and IBF light heavyweight titles being on the line between the undefeated champion Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde.

Yarde has looked impressive in his last three fights amassing three knockouts, but Beterbiev's pure punching power has been an impossible puzzle to solve up to this point. A convincing win for him sets up a super fight between him and Dmitry Bivol.

Let's briefly backtrack to the sequence of events and results that have culminated in the wake of this potential match up.

Timeline of Events:

Bivol outclasses Canelo early 2022

Upon Canelo's decision to move up to light heavyweight to challenge Dmitry Bivol, alot of people completely overlooked Bivol due to how impressive Canelo has been over the last decade of his incredible career myself included. It was hard to forget the dominating performance that resulted in a decision win for Bivol. And while a rematch is still intriguing in the future with Canelo being granted an opportunity to avenge this loss. Beterbiev is on Bivol's radar and vice versa.

Beterbiev clobbers Smith Jr. inside 2 rounds summer 2022

This was a statement making performance for Artur. A fight in which he firmly established that his power is a problem. Joe Smith Jr is a VERY tough fighter and Beterbiev got him out of there in five minutes. I was genuinely shocked at how impressive the undefeated champion looked like the trajectory of a potential matchup between him and Bivol began to align. It was now on Bivol to win his next bout against Gilberto Ramirez which took place five months later.

Bivol secures "Fighter of the Year" honors with master class of Zurdo

The records were a combined 64-0 between these two boxers going into this bout. With Ramirez surprisingly having more experience. Regardless, Bivol's style of perfect distance management, active feet, and precise combinations was on full display. He is so athletic and has incredible instincts. That is not to say Ramirez did not have moments of success, but Bivol was in firm control, where he would find success during the moments in between the exchanges. The pressure is now back on Beterbiev going into his clash with Yarde in the challenger's backyard of Wembley Arena this weekend. Should Beterbiev defeat Yarde, the matchup between him and Bivol is simply inevitable.

Beterbiev vs Yarde will start at 3:30 PM EST this Saturday on ESPN+