MMA Preview – Michael Chiesa vs Vicente Luque at UFC 265
MICHAEL CHIESA VS VICENTE LUQUE 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!
MICHAEL CHIESA VS VICENTE LUQUE LOWDOWN
Michael Chiesa (18-4) is in the form of his life and has just racked up two huge wins. He used to embark on a deathly cut to 155 lbs and it clearly effected his performances. That said, he still managed to submit Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts Jim Miller (2015) and Beneil Dariush (2016). However, he went on to get submitted himself by Kevin Lee (2017) and Anthony Pettis (2018) missing weight for that bout. That was a blessing in disguise as it forced a move up to welterweight and has not lost since. He submitted Carlos Condit (2018) and earnt dominant unanimous decisions over Diego Sanchez (2019), Rafael dos Anjos (2020) and Neil Magny (2021).
Vicente Luque (20-7-1) is also on a tear but prefers to finish his opponents. He went on a blazing six-fight win streak including four knockouts, a submission, and a split decision over Mike Perry (2019). He then met his match on the feet three months later in Stephen Thompson and was simply finessed and outclassed in a unanimous decision. However, he resumed business as usual after the setback knocking out Niko Price (2020), Randy Brown (2020) and submitting Tyron Woodley (2021) for his biggest dub to date.
MICHAEL CHIESA VS VICENTE LUQUE PREDICTION
Luque is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but this will be a classic grappler vs striker match-up. Luque is one of the most feared and durable strikers in the division and Chiesa’s wrestling is even more of a force up at 170 lbs allowing his jiu-jitsu to flourish.
Chiesa offers very little on the feet and he will look to close the distance as soon as possible to tie Luque up and simply wear him down. Whether that is in the clinch, up against the fence or using trips and single leg takedowns to get Luque on his back and keep him there.
Luque is strong and has decent takedown defence, but Chiesa is relentless with his chain wrestling and has the cardio to go a suffocating pace for 15 minutes. So, unless Luque can hurt Chiesa before he gets close, Chiesa just needs to grab a hold of Luque to stick on him until the round ends, ideally pouncing on his back and wrapping a body lock.
Luque is the favourite, and he is a on a completely different level on the feet, but he has not fought a wrestler like Chiesa, and we do not know how if he can defend a takedown for three rounds. So, unless Luque catches him early, we are backing the underdog to grind out another decision.
Prediction: Chiesa via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Chiesa via Decision
