5 bold predictions for UFC 265

UFC 265 will take place this weekend on August 7 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event will be headlined by an interim heavyweight championship bout between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane.

UFC originally wanted to schedule a heavyweight fight between Lewis and current champion Francis Ngannou. However, things did not work out according to plan and thus, an interim fight was scheduled for the event.

The co-main event of UFC 265 will feature an exciting bantamweight matchup between Pedro Munhoz and former featherweight champ Jose Aldo. The original co-main event was supposed to be a bantamweight title fight between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes. But Nunes, along with her wife and daughter, tested positive for COVID-19 and thus, the fight had to be postponed for a later date.

The main card for UFC 265 will also have a welterweight scrap between Michael Chiesa and Vicente Luque. Both fighters are on impressive win streaks and will be looking to strengthen their argument for a title shot with a win at UFC 265.

Let's take a look at five bold predictions that could come true at UFC 265:

#5. Song Yadong vs Casey Kenney will be an underwhelming affair at UFC 265

Song Yadong will fight Casey Kenney at #UFC265 on August 7th. (first rep. @MMAjunkie) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN pic.twitter.com/ZJhGg9Pf0S
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 7, 2021

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Song Yadong and Casey Kenney are two up-and-coming fighters in the bantamweight division of the UFC. Although they both seem to have a promising future in MMA, the same cannot be said for their upcoming fight.

One of the reasons for this is because the two fighters do not have a lot of finishes on their records. Out of Yadong's 16 wins, seven have come by decision.

In addition, 12 out of Kenney's 20 professional fights have gone the distance. Also, throughout his stint in the UFC, the 30-year-old has only won one UFC bonus. There are also doubts surrounding Kenney's ability to make weight as three of his seven fights in the UFC have taken place at catchweight.

Keeping all these things in mind, it would not be a surprise if the fight fails to live up to the hype.

#4. Rafael Fiziev will dominate Bobby Green in the prelims of UFC 265

With just four fights in the promotion, Rafael Fiziev has shown his potential to be an elite level UFC fighter in the 155-pound shark tank. 'Ataman' is currently riding a three-fight win streak and knocked out Renato Moicano in his last fight at UFC 256.

Bobby Green is a veteran of the sport with 39 professional fights on his resume. But Green is past his prime and it's time to make way for a new generation of fighters, with Fiziev being one of them.

'King' is coming off a loss which does not help the cause. Before that, the 34-year-old was on a three-fight win streak, but none of those wins were against high-level fighters, let alone ranked ones.

However, it will not be easy for the 28-year-old Fiziev to finish Green. In his 39 fights, 'King' has only been finished a total of four times - 2 times via KO/TKO and 2 times via submission.

The fight will likely end in a dominant decision victory for 'Ataman'.

#3. UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa will overwhelm Vicente Luque with his grappling skills

Michael Chiesa has turned into a whole new beast since moving up to the welterweight division of the UFC. 'Maverick' is undefeated in the weight class with wins over veteran fighters like Rafael dos Anjos, Neil Magny, Diego Sanchez and Carlos Condit. The key to Chiesa's success has been his superior grappling skills with which he has been able to relentlessly pressure his opponents.

Vicente Luque is a dangerous opponent on any given day. He proved that in his last fight by submitting former champion Tyron Woodley in the first round at UFC 260. Before that, he earned victories over good fighters like Randy Brown and Niko Price.

Although Luque possesses the talent to turn a fight around, the welterweight scrap at UFC 265 will likely end with the 'Maverick' getting his hand raised.

#2. Pedro Munhoz vs Jose Aldo will win 'Fight of the Night'

Of all the amazing matchups at UFC 265, this is a fight that is really worth looking out for. The co-main event of UFC 265 has the potential to be a barn-burner.

The major reason behind this prediction is the fact that three out of the last four of Pedro Munhoz's fights have been awarded the 'Fight of the Night' honor. The 34-year-old always brings the fight and, with a worthy dance partner, can put on a hell of a show for the fans.

Who could be a more worthy dance partner than UFC legend Jose Aldo? 'Junior' recently broke his three-fight skid with a win over rising prospect Marlon Vera. By defeating 'The Young Punisher', Aldo can move one step closer to another bantamweight title shot.

So, from all the fights on the UFC 265 card, Munhoz vs Aldo has the highest chance of winning the 'Fight of the Night' bonus.

#1. Derrick Lewis will win the interim UFC heavyweight championship via KO/TKO

Derrick Lewis is one of the hardest hitting fighters on the entire UFC roster. 'The Black Beast' possesses devastating power to put his opponent's lights out with a single blow. Lewis proved exactly that in his last fight against Curtis Blaydes, where one perfectly timed uppercut was enough to put 'Razor' to sleep.

Ciryl Gane is a highly-skilled fighter with an undefeated record of 9-0. 'Bon Gamin' knows how to stay out of his opponents' range and avoid their punches. The French fighter also has impressive cardio. The same cannot be said for Lewis, who tends to gas out after the first couple of rounds. Many favor Gane to win either via decision or a finish in the championship rounds.

But the Louisiana native has shown in the past that, despite being down multiple rounds, he can make a comeback. He did so in his fight against Alexander Volkov.

So there is a high chance that the 36-year-old will hand 'Bon Gamin' his first loss and win the interim heavyweight title.

Edited by John Cunningham