Guy Giles makes his pick as Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane fight for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 265.
Here are Guy Giles’ best UFC picks for Derrick Lewis v Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 in Houston. Visit the Betway Insider for picks on all the biggest fights.
Lewis v Gane odds
The UFC heavyweight division will have two champions by the end of Saturday night as Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane meet for the interim title in Houston.
Questions were asked of the UFC when this fight was ordered, with champion Francis Ngannou ready to return in September, but the need for a headliner at UFC 265 saw the promotion push through this big-hitting bout.
The location also played a part in their decision, with hometown hero Lewis getting his second shot at the belt nearly three years after a one-sided submission loss to former champ Daniel Cormier.
Following that loss, ‘The Black Beast’ lost his next fight to Junior dos Santos, but has since strung together four consecutive wins to earn another chance at UFC gold.
The first two of those wins came by decision, but Lewis’s trademark power was on show in his two most recent victories as he knocked out Aleksei Oleinik and Curtis Blaydes.
Despite his strong recent performances, Lewis enters Saturday’s fight as the {ODDS:755981416:3.60} underdog.
He will face relative newcomer Gane, who has risen swiftly through the heavyweight ranks to earn a title shot in just his seventh UFC bout.
The Frenchman is 9-0 and has reeled off victories against contenders Alexander Volkov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Junior dos Santos in his last three fights.
‘Bon Gamin’ has been earmarked as a potential champion since he first entered the UFC, and will head into hostile territory in Houston as a {ODDS:755981417:1.28} favourite.
Lewis v Gane prediction
While both fighters obviously possess devastating knockout power, this fight will be one of heavily contrasting styles.
Lewis has relied on sheer brutality throughout his UFC career, racking up 12 wins by way of knockout – the most in the history of the division.
‘The Black Beast’ generally has one route to victory – through his heavy hands – and tends to fade in the later rounds if he fails to secure an early stoppage.
That may prove tough against one of the most technical strikers in the heavyweight division, with Gane translating his kickboxing and Muay Thai experience into UFC success.
The Frenchman is a patient fighter, and will use Lewis’s aggression against him as he seeks openings to land his varied arsenal of kicks and punches.
He will try and use his 6ft 5in frame to keep Lewis at distance while slowly breaking him down, before circling for the killer blow as his opponent tires.
Lewis is always just a punch away from victory, but Gane’s combination of power and technical skill might prove too much for him in front of his home crowd.
‘Bon Gamin’ is likely to either secure a stoppage in the later rounds or take this one on the scorecards, and backing either in a double chance wager looks a good bet here.
Gane to win by KO, TKO, DQ or Decision {ODDS:771693443:3.75}
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