UFC 265 PREVIEW
Gold on the line this weekend at UFC 265, home-town star Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis takes on undefeated Cyril ‘Bon Gamin’ Gane. The heavyweight interim-title bout will take place at the Toyota Center Houston, Texas on Sunday 8th August.
DERRICK LEWIS ($3.60) v CYRIL GANE ($1.28)
The interim title bout is slated to showcase two different style of fighters, Derrick Lewis, the power puncher up against Cyril Gane, the technical striker. The black beast (Lewis) 25-7, is on a 4 fight win streak heading into this weekend and looking to uncork a vicious right hand to back up his previous two TKO/KO finishes. On the other hand, Cyril Gane 9-0 is yet to taste defeat, both in mma and kickboxing. Gane possesses an all-round game, which is unheard of in the heavyweight division, an athlete with technique, agility and gas-tank for all 5 championship rounds. A crucial bout for both fighters, as a date with the heavyweight champion aligns for the winner, Francis N’Gannou.
Prediction: I only see one-way for Lewis, look no further than his right hand and the ability for that to end any fight. Gane will look for openings as he evades that right hand, followed by countering with strikes that will frustrate Lewis from the outset of the fight. Gane will overwhelm Lewis, in his own words display a ‘beautiful masterclass’, I see this fight going into the late rounds, either a late round finish or decision in the favour of Gane.
JOSE ALDO ($1.80) v PEDRO MUNHOZ ($1.92)
Brazilians square up in this bantamweight matchup as Jose Aldo returns off a win over Marlon Vera, an important win for the UFC legend. Aldo, since he dropped down a weight class is 1-2, albeit against top class opposition. Pedro Munhoz is a tough opponent, he has a win over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt, showing he can mix it with the best.
Prediction: Two guys that are versatile, standing or on the mat, I see a stand-up fight with Aldo predominantly on the front foot. He will mix in strikes to the head and the body, Aldo via decision.
MICHAEL CHIESA ($1.92) v VICENTE LUQUE ($1.80)
A fight of the night candidate beckons as two welterweights aim to climb the ranks and put their name in the hat for a potential title fight. Chiesa is a perfect 4-0 since he returned to the welterweight division scoring wins over highly decorated mixed martial artists. The same can be said for Luque, not only picking up solid wins but doing it in style.
Prediction: A win would edge them closer to the top of a stacked division. Chiesa likes to take his fights to the mat with heavy grappling as he pursues ground and pound. On the other side, Luque, a highly skilled Muay Thai specialist who can also hang when it goes to the ground. I like Luque here, he will look to keep the fight standing and unleash his striking from the outside. Luque via decision.
TECIA TORRES ($1.68) v ANGELA HILL ($2.15)
The rise of the women’s strawweight division gives the fans an exciting contest between Torres and Hill. Mixed results in the division see the two face off against each other with the emerging fighter staking claim for a future top 5 ranked opponent.
Prediction: Angela Hill will look to pick a part the smaller Tecia Torres, Hill’s advantage in this contest is her 10cm reach advantage and as Torres looks to close the gap, expect Hill to land her strikes. Hill via decision.
SONG YADONG ($2) v CASEY KENNEY ($1.78)
A great fight to open the pay-per-view card as Song Yadong and Casey Kenney aim to deliver fan expectations. Yadong and Kenney are similar in all facets of mixed martial arts and betting markets reflect this. It will be interesting to see how either fighter will find a path to victory, nonetheless a curtain raiser with fight of the night potential.
Prediction: Hard to pin-point who has the edge in this fight, I believe Kenney can outlast Yadong over 3 rounds. Kenney via decision.
Goran’s Best Bet: Hill into Luque into Aldo @ $6.97 with BlueBet
Words & Tips by: Goran Nikolovski
