UFC 265 is set to look quite a bit different after the fight between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test. Nevertheless, UFC 265 is still planned to continue on as expected and should feature a number of exciting fights. Let’s take a look at three of the best bouts on the card.
Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane
The interim heavyweight title fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane is bound to be a good one. It is no wonder that these two will be lining up for the main event of UFC 265. Lewis is one of those strong hitting fighters that always stands a puncher’s chance even when it seems like he is being thrown around and worn out. He might have the heaviest hands in UFC history.
Meanwhile, Gane looks to be one of the best heavyweight fighters for years to come following six stellar performances in the Octagon. He’s yet to lose in his MMA career. Gane definitely doesn’t have the power behind his punches that Lewis does but he is also much more conditioned and more versatile. He’s won three fights by knockout, three by submission and three by decision. If he can take Lewis to the ground, he should have a huge advantage there.
Jose Aldo vs. Pedro Muñhoz
The bantamweight bout between Jose Aldo and Pedro Muñhoz is going to be another tight contest, as the odds suggest. Aldo is not only a legend in the game and has shown signs of life at bantamweight. He lost his first two fights (to Marlon Moraes and Petr Yan) in the weight class but has rebounded well since.
However, he did bounce back by putting a stop to the streak of Marlon Vera back in December. He had been riding a three-fight losing streak, so some had wondered if his career was coming to a close. Meanwhile, Muñhoz just broke out of his two-fight losing streak himself by claiming a unanimous decision victory over Jimmie Rivera a couple of months ago. These two fighters have very similar styles and have been open about their intentions to make this a fast-paced fight, so this should compete for Fight Of The Night.
Michael Chiesa vs. Vicente Luque
The fight involving Michael Chiesa and Vicente Luque has the potential to have a big impact on the state of the welterweight division. Chiesa came back to this division back in 2018 and has since won four fights in that time span. He reportedly turned down a last second fight against champ Kamaru Usman and is now stuck at the No. 4 spot in the rankings. However, a win over Luque could throw him back up and get an official shot with Usman.
On the other hand, Luque is sitting at number five after submitting Tyron Woodley back in March. It was his third straight victory and the ninth in his last 10 fights. Chiesa will want to take this fight to the ground while Luque is more of an all-around fighter. Either of these fighters could inch their way to a title shot with a win.