One stacked fight card will be featured towards our MMASucka staff picks this weekend. A thrilling one it will be, as UFC 265 kicks off in just a few short hours this August 7th from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. This marks the UFC’s second event from the arena of 2021 and 20th promotional event inside The Lone Star State. Tonight’s main card will begin at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT) live on pay-per-view for those subscribed to ESPN+.
Stay tuned to MMASucka for live results of UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane.
The Fights
Heavyweight leather will be thrown as Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane battle to claim the division’s interim championship. Lewis looks to score big in his hometown, fighting for a second title shot in his UFC career; his first opportunity falling short after a submission loss to then-champion Daniel Cormier in 2018. The powerful striker has won four straight, having stopped his last two opponents Aleksei Oleinik and Curtis Blaydes by knockout in featured main events. Lewis’ opponent, Gane, has remained undefeated through only nine professional MMA fights. Technically fought decisions over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov this year alone have propelled the Frenchman to his biggest test yet.
The winner between Lewis and Gane will be next to battle current king Francis Ngannou upon his return.
Jose Aldo and Pedro Munhoz, however, look to steal the show in tonight’s co-main event at bantamweight. Former two-time featherweight champion Aldo, one of the greatest to ever reign in fighting history, aims to continue his legacy and for his second-straight win inside the octagon. Munhoz lastly took a “Fight of the Night” decision over Jimmie Rivera in February, now set to face and potentially defeat a fellow Brazilian idol.
See the remaining UFC 265 fights for our MMASucka staff picks further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events and a variety of fights from PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will make its debut in August.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
Check out our staff picks for UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane below.
Staff Records after Bellator 263:
1. Nate Freeman: 122-73
2. Wesley Riddle: 121-74
3. Michael DeSantis: 119-76
4. Frazer Krohn: 112-83
5. Ash Camyab: 108-78
6. Jeremy Brand: 106-90
7T. Mitchell Banuelos: 104-87
7T. Mike Lynch: 104-86
9. Tim Wheaton: 86-63
10. Andrew Benjamin: 82-90
11. Kenny Lee: 77-64
12. Matt Bricker: 57-57
13. Brandon Joint: 47-25
14. Maria Morales: 9-1
15. Chris Presnell: 9-5
Song Yadong (16-5-1, 1 NC) vs. Casey Kenney (16-3-1)
Jeremy Brand: Kenny via Round 2 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Yadong via UD
Michael DeSantis: Kenney via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Yadong via UD
Ash Camyab: Yadong via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Yadong via UD
Frazer Krohn: Yadong via UD
Nate Freeman: Yadong via SD
Tim Wheaton: Kenney via UD
Brandon Joint: Yadong via UD
Chris Presnell: Yadong via SD
Staff picking Yadong: 8
Staff picking Kenney: 3
Tecia Torres (11-5) vs. Angela Hill (13-9)
Jeremy Brand: Hill via UD
Wesley Riddle: Torres via SD
Michael DeSantis: Torres via SD
Mitchell Banuelos: Hill via UD
Ash Camyab: Torres via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Torres via SD
Frazer Krohn: Torres via UD
Nate Freeman: Torres via SD
Tim Wheaton: Hill via UD
Brandon Joint: Torres via UD
Chris Presnell: Torres via UD
Staff picking Torres: 8
Staff picking Hill: 3
Michael Chiesa (18-4) vs. Vicente Luque (20-7-1)
Jeremy Brand: Chiesa via UD
Wesley Riddle: Luque via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Chiesa via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Luque via UD
Ash Camyab: Luque via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Chiesa via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Luque via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Luque via UD
Tim Wheaton: Chiesa via Round 3 SUB
Brandon Joint: Luque via Round 2 TKO
Chris Presnell: Luque via SD
Staff picking Chiesa: 4
Staff picking Luque: 7
Jose Aldo (28-7) vs. Pedro Munhoz (19-5, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Aldo via UD
Wesley Riddle: Aldo via UD
Michael DeSantis: Aldo via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Aldo via UD
Ash Camyab: Aldo via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Aldo via UD
Frazer Krohn: Aldo via SD
Nate Freeman: Aldo via SD
Tim Wheaton: Aldo via Round 3 TKO
Brandon Joint: Aldo via UD
Chris Presnell: Aldo via UD
Staff picking Aldo: 11
Staff picking Munhoz: 0
Derrick Lewis (25-7, 1 NC) vs. Ciryl Gane (9-0)
Jeremy Brand: Gane via Round 4 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Gane via Round 3 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Gane via Round 3 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Lewis via Round 4 TKO
Ash Camyab: Gane via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Lewis via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Gane via Round 4 TKO
Nate Freeman: Gane via UD
Tim Wheaton: Gane via UD
Brandon Joint: Gane via UD
Chris Presnell: Gane via UD
Staff picking Lewis: 2
Staff picking Gane: 9
UFC 265 FEATURED IMAGE:
Embed from Getty Images
