SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 265 GAMBLING GUIDE

At one point fans thought they may get a rematch between Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis but here we are with an interim heavyweight title bout between Lewis and rising French star Cyril Gane as an appetizer to what will come next. The co main event has already been removed thanks to you know what and we are sure there will be more drama to come. For now, enjoy our picks and watch this space.

Main Card (BT Sport)
Derrick Lewis Vs Cyril Gane (Heavyweight)
As huge Derrick Lewis fans, it really didn’t feel right picking against him, but even though Gane’s scraps tend to not produce any major highlight reels, you can’t deny that for a big dude, the guy has some impressive footwork. This will be his key to victory as ‘The Black Beast’ plods along, eating leg kicks and the occasional jab for the entire fight. A huge right hand from Lewis is always there, and let’s not forget this card takes place in his hometown which has to play a huge factor, but as much as we would like it too, that won’t happen in this one.
WINNER: Gane
METHOD: Decision

José Aldo vs. Pedro Munhoz (Bantamweight) Here we go again, backing the older veteran in the hope he continues to stay in the UFC. Yes that’s right. We are picking the former champ to pick up another decision victory, specifically by winning the first two rounds and surviving a late onslaught in the third. This could go terribly wrong of course but we like to put our necks on the line from time to time.
WINNER: Aldo
METHOD: Decision

Michael Chiesa vs. Vicente Luque (Welterweight)
Chiesa has surprised on many occasions (we always seem to pick against him) but the buck stops here. Luque’s striking is nothing short of terrifying and unless Chiesa can pin him down for the entire fight, he’s getting sparked out.
WINNER: Luque
METHOD: KO/TKO

Song Yadong vs. Casey Kenney (Bantamweight)
An incredibly tough one to call for us. Yadong is one of Asia’s rising stars and even though his opponent had a surprise set back (not for us we backed Cruz via decision) in his previous fight we think the former LFA star might scrape a win here.
WINNER: Kenney
METHOD: Decision

Preliminary Card (BT Sport )
Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill (Women's Strawweight)
Expect this one to go the same as it did the first time these two came face-to-face in 2015. Nothing has happened since then to make us think otherwise. Goes the distance without a shadow of a doubt.
WINNER: Torres
METHOD: Decision

Bobby Green vs. Rafael Fiziev (Lightweight)
Having been on the UFC roster since 2013, Green is a true veteran of the UFC. The Californian has been on the verge of being cut on a couple of occasions but always seems to save his career when the chips are down. He’s up against a major threat in the striking stakes here, and we really don’t fancy his chances.
WINNER: Fiziev
METHOD: KO/TKO

Ed Herman vs. Alonzo Menifield (Light Heavyweight)
Another real veteran of the sport, Ed Herman is still well and truly in the mix and fair play to the man. Following a 3-fight skid he is now heading into his 4th straight win if he can get past Menifeld. Whilst he’s not past it yet, it could be argued ‘Short Fuse’ is a little sloppy on the feet these days and that will be his downfall in this one when Menifeld steams rolls him in the second.
WINNER: Menifeld
METHOD: KO/TKO

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Jessica Penne (Women's Strawweight)
After four years of not competing in the UFC (Penne served a reduced USADA suspension), Penne returned to get win an extremely debatable split decision win over newcomer Lupita Godinez in April. The UFC have given her former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz for her next outing. The Polish native will be released if she loses here, (it would be her fifth loss in a row), but we predict she lives to fight another day.
WINNER: Kowalkiewicz
METHOD: Decision

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Manel Kape vs. Ode’ Osbourne (Flyweight)
A big upset if Kape manages to pull this one out the bag so stick some money on it for sure. Osbourne seem to have found his feet after a bad debut so should get the job done.
WINNER: Osbourne
METHOD: KO/TKO

Miles Johns vs. Anderson dos Santos (Bantamweight)
A potential barn burner. Keep an eye on this one as both fighters tend not to hold back. If dos Santos doesn’t land an early submission Johns will find a way to take him out.
WINNER: Johns
METHOD: KO/TKO

Victoria Leonardo vs. Melissa Gatto (Women's Flyweight)
At the beginning of the year, Leonard entered the UFC on the back of Dana White’s Contender Series and soon found out the big leagues are not for everyone. She faces newcomer Melissa Gatto who at only 25 will be out to prove her worth. We have a feeling someone is getting subbed in this one.
WINNER: Gatto
METHOD: Submission

Vince Morales vs. Drako Rodriguez (Bantamweight)
Whilst he crumbled in his debut, don’t be surprised if ‘The Great Drakolini’ (yes that really is his nickname apparently) bounces back in style.
WINNER: Rodriguez
METHOD: KO/TKO

Johnny Muñoz Jr. vs. Jamey Simmons (Bantamweight)
Both failed in their UFC debuts so will be keen to make amends and get a win in the UFC. We’ll go with Munoz Jr via submission in the last round.
WINNER: Munoz Jr
METHOD: Submission

UFC 265 WILD CARD BET: Derrick Lewis to defeat Cyril Gane via KO/TKO