UFC 265 Preview and Predictions
The UFC is back and in a big way! Live from Houston, Texas is UFC 265 this Saturday, August 7th. It is headlined by a massive Heavyweight tilt between the hometown guy in Derrick Lewis and a rising star in Ciryl Gane. But there is much more to this card than meets the eye. You could argue that since Amanda Nunes had to withdrawal from this card with Covid, the card would lack. But this entire main card and even the prelims and undercard are littered with incredible fights. From top to bottom, this is not a fight card that you want to miss. We give you our thoughts on the main card and our official predictions here.
Casey Kenney vs. Song Yadong (Bantamweight)
The main card for UFC 265 gets kicked off with a pair of fast and athletic Bantamweights in Casey Kenney and Song Yadong. It wasn’t that long ago that Yadong was viewed as a perennial contender in the 135lb division. But after a decisive loss to Kyler Phillips, he finds himself outside of the contender’s list. Yet, you have to consider that Kenney is also coming off a loss, albeit a split decision loss to one of the greatest Bantamweights in UFC and MMA history in Dominick Cruz. He fought a very good fight, and I see him rebounding here and working his way back up the ranks of the division. Kenney via unanimous decision.
Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill (Women’s Strawweight)
In a rematch of their previous encounter from June 2015, Tecia Torres and Angela Hill will look to put on a little better fight than their first encounter. Torres will look to pressure and look for takedowns to make this fight nasty. She often has success when she gets a fight to the ground and can apply her will on her opponent. However, I do not see this fight going the way it did the first time. Hill is among the best strikers in the division, and I think she can keep the distance and pick Torres apart on the feet. If she can keep this fight standing, Hill should get the nod here. Hill via unanimous decision.
Michael Chiesa vs. Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
When you look at Michael Chiesa and Vicente Luque, you see a classic striker versus grappler matchup. Luque has everything going in his direction: three straight wins, including a win over the former Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. This is arguably the best he has looked in the UFC so far in his career. But man, I love me some Michael Chiesa. He is a man who has also turned his career around a bit, currently on a four-fight win streak of his own, including a win over a former champion in Rafael dos Anjos. I think Chiesa goes out and puts on the performance of a lifetime. Is there a title shot in his future with a win? Chiesa via unanimous decision.
Jose Aldo vs. Pedro Munhoz (Bantamweight)
This is the fight I am most looking forward to on this card (yes, even more so than Lewis versus Gane). Jose Aldo and Pedro Munhoz should put on a clinic in striking and pure kickboxing. The decline of Jose Aldo is greatly exaggerated. Yes, he is 1-3 in his last 4 fights. However, he looked good in those fights. You also have to consider his opposition: Alexander Volkanovski, Marlon Moraes, and Petr Yan. He is hanging with three champions/championship contenders. Aldo could potentially turn back the clock Saturday night and prove he isn’t on the decline. I see him doing so. Munhoz did not look terribly impressive in his fight with Cody Garbrandt, and I think the potential maybe has faded a little from him. It will be close, and both men very well might be busted up, but give me Aldo by points. Aldo via split decision.
Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane (Heavyweight Championship)
UFC 265 is capped off with a world-shaking Heavyweight matchup between Houstons own Derrick Lewis and undefeated Ciryl Gane. This fight is so weird to predict. In all honesty, Lewis is not an incredible mixed martial artist. But man, he is a hell of a fighter. His punching power is second to none (well, maybe Francis Ngannou) and all he has to do is connect with you one time, and it’s lights out. If you put stock into Lewis being able to land that one punch, he can finish this fight and finish it very early.
But on the other hand, Ciryl Gane is as well-rounded a fighter in the Heavyweight Division as there is right now. He also has solid power but has other tools in his arsenal as well. Considering the fact that he is undefeated shows that he has a desire not to taste defeat for the first time. I foolishly picked against Gane in his last fight, and he went out there and proved me wrong in a great showing. It’s hard betting against such a hard-hitting man like Lewis, but I will take Gane to pick up the victory here. Gane via 4th round submission.
But let’s be honest, this fight shouldn’t even be happening for an Interim title, and both men probably lose to Ngannou anyway *insert shrugging emoji*.
Vendetta Sports Media is sponsored by Monkey Knife Fight, the fastest growing DFS site in the industry. MKF’s unique style and gameplay make betting fun and easy. Use our promo code ‘VENDETTA’ or use the link below to get a 100% instant match on any deposit and let them know that we sent you!
Signup now!
Follow us on Twitter!
