This weekend the UFC returns with another pay-per-view show, UFC 265 from Houston. Originally, UFC 265 was supposed to feature Amanda Nunes defending her bantamweight title for the first time in nearly two years, but after Nunes tested positive for COVID-19, her bout was pulled from the card.

Fortunately for UFC betting fans, UFC 265 was a stacked card to begin with, and we still have an interim heavyweight title fight between knockout artists Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane, along with a host of other great fights to tide us over.

Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane Odds

Odds via DraftKings and current as of publication. Check out our DraftKings sportsbook review

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Lewis vs. Gane Betting Analysis

UFC 265’s main event features a heavyweight slugfest between two of the baddest men on the planet, with an interim title at stake. Lewis has more wins over currently-ranked heavyweights than any other active fighter in the UFC, including a win over current champion Francis Ngannou.

Lewis is a power-puncher, pure and simple, and he wins fights entirely on the back of his devastating power and deceptive athleticism. Defense, cardio, and grappling are all open questions with Lewis, but when you hit like he does, you can get away with not being the most well-rounded fighter in the world.

Gane is quite the opposite. A fast-rising prospect with a Muay Thai background, Gane has transitioned to MMA beautifully, amassing a perfect 9-0 record and showcasing a variety of skills.

Sure, his bread and butter remains his striking, where he shows a good command of range, a variety of attacks, and excellent defense. But Gane has also shown both a willingness and an ability to grapple, securing two submissions in his short UFC career.

Gane is the total package, and it’s easy to see why people believe he could be the next dominant champion.

Get complete expert UFC picks from our team of handicappers at bookiesEDGE!

Lewis Vs. Gane Best Bet

Lewis is a surprisingly great fighter given his many clear deficiencies, but in Gane he faces a horrendous matchup. Lewis has historically struggled with athletic strikers who are quick on their feet, and Gane might be the best of those he has ever faced.

Gane is going to dance around Lewis, pot-shotting and leg kicking “The Black Beast” and draining Lewis’ notoriously short gas tank until Lewis gets reckless. At that point, Gane will exploit him.

I just don’t see how Lewis makes it to the final bell, so a safe bet here is Gane by KO, TKO, or Submission at -110 on FOX Bet.

For those of you in the market for a riskier play at your sportsbooks and betting sites, FOX Bet currently has Gane by submission at +1200. The odds are long for a reason, but Gane likes to show off his grappling and Lewis is not good on the floor.

Gane hurting a winded Lewis and then submitting him has a much higher likelihood of happening than the oddsmakers are suggesting. Grab the price while you can on your sports betting app.

Other Bets To Consider

Jose Aldo vs. Pedro Munhoz: Jose Aldo is one of the greatest fighters of all time and, even past his prime, he is still defeating top contenders by virtue of his defensive brilliance and his fight IQ. Munhoz is one of the most underrated fighters in the bantamweight division and, were this five rounds, his pace could make this a different story. But over the course of 15 minutes, Munhoz is going to struggle to land cleanly and he will get countered for his troubles. Aldo by decision at +195 with FanDuel is a good bet.

Vicente Luque vs. Michael Chiesa: Since moving up to welterweight, Michael Chiesa has put together a tremendous run, but that run stops here. This fight is straightforward: Chiesa needs takedowns or he is going to lose. Luque has shown good takedown defense in his UFC career and on the feet this is all Luque. Chiesa is tough so maybe he can withstand the firepower coming at him but either way, this is Luque’s fight to lose, so getting him at -110 on FanDuel is great.

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