Guy Giles makes his pick as Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight for the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 270 in Anaheim.
Here are Guy Giles’ best UFC picks for Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in Anaheim. Visit the Betway Insider for picks on all the biggest fights.
Ngannou v Gane odds
The main event at UFC 270 in Anaheim sees Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane face off for the undisputed heavyweight title.
The former training partners hold a belt each – Ngannou won the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in March 2021 before Gane claimed the interim title against Derrick Lewis in August.
Not only is this set to be a barnburner between two of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster, but there is an added edge due to their shared history.
Ngannou came through the ranks under Fernand Lopez at MMA Factory in Paris before a high-profile fallout since he lost in his first title fight in 2018.
Since then, Gane has become Lopez’s star pupil, reeling off seven straight wins in the UFC to earn the interim belt and now a shot at the undisputed title.
Ngannou is also embroiled in a stand-off with the UFC over his next contract, so the outcome of this fight could decide whether his future lays with the promotion or elsewhere.
Despite five knockout wins in a row coming into this fight, ‘The Predator’ heads to Anaheim as the {ODDS:813037547:2.20} underdog, having not fought for nearly a year.
‘Bon Gamin’, meanwhile, remains unbeaten with a 10-0 career record, and is the {ODDS:813037548:1.66} favourite to upgrade his interim belt on Saturday.
Ngannou v Gane prediction
This fight comes down to precision versus power.
Ngannou is the hardest puncher in the UFC, able to put anyone to sleep in a split-second. His record illustrates just that – he has 12 knockout wins from 16 fights, including 10 in 13 UFC bouts.
Gane, meanwhile, is one of the most technically gifted fighters in the heavyweight division. He picks apart his opponents with ease using his accomplished kickboxing and superb fight IQ.
That is not to say that Ngannou is not skilful, or that Gane does not have power.
Ngannou showed much improved wrestling and takedown defence as he took the belt from Miocic in March, and will no doubt have made more strides in the 10 months since.
Gane is also more than capable of putting his opponents to sleep, with two knockout wins in his last four fights, including a stoppage win over Derrick Lewis – who has the most KOs in UFC history – to win the interim belt.
‘Bon Gamin’ will be well aware of Ngannou’s power, and is likely to be quite conservative in his approach, picking his shots from distance.
The longer this fight go on, the more chance the interim champ has of winning – Gane has won by decision three times in his career, while Ngannou has no wins and three losses when going the distance.
Should he manage to avoid Ngannou’s power early in the fight, he will be able to pick a tiring Ngannou apart in the later rounds.
Ngannou can always end a fight with one punch, but Gane is skilful enough to weather the early storm and secure a decision win.
Gane to win by decision {ODDS:813037601:3.75}
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