MMA Preview – Derrick Lewis vs Cyril Gane at UFC 265
DERRICK LEWIS VS CIRYL GANE FACTS
When is UFC 265? Sunday 8th August, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 265? Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 265? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 265
What channel is UFC 265 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 265? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
DERRICK LEWIS VS CIRYL GANE LOWDOWN
After negotiations with Jon Jones fell through, Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis (25-7(1)) was slotted in line to take on Francis Ngannou. However, the UFC brass has taken exception to Ngannou not wanting to be forced back too early so have created a new interim title fight. Since, Daniel Cormier ragdolled and submitted Lewis in his first title fight back in November at UFC 230 and the former champion Junior dos Santos made it two losses in a row with a knockout, Lewis has strung four wins together. He earnt a dubious split decision over Blagoy Ivanov, another tight but unanimous decision over Ilir Latifi and two convincing knockouts over Alexey Oleynik and Curtis Blaydes to propel himself back into the title picture.
Cyril ‘Bon Gamin’ Gane (9-0) is the beneficiary of the UFC’s drama with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou but either way, his progression from making his professional debut just three years ago to featuring in a title fight on the biggest stage is remarkable. Only Brock Lesnar shot to the title quicker and he was a juicy freak show. Gane is a different beast with an array of skill and the poise of a veteran. He is still unbeaten having won his six UFC fights and is coming off a TKO over dos Santos and two very classy unanimous decisions over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov just six weeks ago.
DERRICK LEWIS VS CIRYL GANE PREDICTION
Those three fights proved Gane’s skills and poise makes up for his lack of experience which Lewis has in abundance. Gane is more-rounded, more technical and more athletic but Lewis’ ‘one-hitter-quitter’ power is the antagonist to any skill.
The obvious route to victory is to grapple Lewis and keep him on his back. The only man to accomplish that was the Olympic wrestler Cormier but as we saw in the Blaydes fight, elite wrestling counts for nothing if The Black Beast’s right hand lands flush.
So, the question is whether Lewis can find the chin of Gane. The same question was present in Gane’s fight with Rozenstruik who also has scary one-punch knockout power. However, Gane schooled him. Not only was he incredibly illusive, he kept switching stance and peppering Rozenstruik from range with a variety of kicks and punches.
His movement and volume will be crucial against Lewis if the fights lasts 25 minutes. Volkov was cruising in his fight until Lewis landed an unholy bomb with seconds remaining. The difference with Gane is that he had the cardio and volume to disable Lewis.
Expect Gane to approach this the same way as the Rozenstruik fight by making himself incredibly difficult to hit while chopping Lewis down with leg kicks while bouncing in and out of range catching him with jabs, 1-2’s and kicks to the head and liver and also threatening a takedown. He will struggle to detain Lewis while he is fresh, even if he secures a takedown as Lewis has the raw strength to spring back up so expect Gane to wait a round or two before a takedown attempt.
Gane will conduct the tempo knowing Lewis will patiently wait to explode. Whether that be a counter right-hand, high kick, flying knee or an uppercut meeting a level-change. We feel Gane’s speed, movement and defence will frustrate Lewis and tire him out for three rounds. Then, his strikes will accumulate and dismantle Lewis making him an easy target.
Of course, a knockout for Lewis is likely and has the advantage of fighting on his own patch, but we feel Bon Gamin will ramp it up another level and may just achieve a late finish on a knackered beast.
Prediction: Gane via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Gane via Submission
