Matchmaker Monday following UFC 265
UFC 265 may have no been a big pay per view in the eyes of many fans, but nonetheless the fight card provided a great night of fights.
The main card featured rising contenders, two fan favorites that recorded breakthrough wins and a veteran who continues to deny father time. All of that was just the lead up to the main event, which provided an interim UFC heavyweight champion.
Ciryl Gane made his victory over Derrick Lewis look easy as he out struck the Lewis 104-8 before the fight was waved off in the third round of their title bout. The win makes Gane the first fighter born in France to win a UFC title.
Now that the event is over, let’s find out what’s next for the two men involved in Saturday’s main event on this edition of Matchmaker Monday.
Ciryl Gane
Result: defeated Derrick Lewis by third-round TKO at UFC 265
Next: Francis Ngannou
Easy breakdown here. The champ mets the interim champ to unify the titles.
Gane has all the tools to beat Ngannou with his ability to move, fight patient and find his range quickly. Ngannou of course has the ultimate eraser to anyone’s skill set as he has the touch of death in his hands. What a fun matchup.
In there is any debate here, it’s over the location of the fight. Ngannou has French roots and UFC president Dana White would love to have this matchup in France. Only problem with that is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Derrick Lewis
Result: lost to Ciryl Gane by third-round TKO at UFC 265
Next: Alexander Volkov
Lewis has to be heart-broken after losing at UFC 265. Not only was it in his hometown of Houston, but it was his second shot at a UFC title and the second time he’s come up short.
One good thing for Lewis is that he’s still one of the top ranked guys in the official UFC heavyweight rankings so he’ll get a top opponent next. Unfortunately his road to UFC gold might take awhile.
Rumors are starting to surface of a Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones fight. The winner of that no doubt is getting the winner of Ngannou and Gane.
That leaves Lewis having some time before having a shot to fight again for a title, but if he keeps winning then he’ll keep himself in the loop. Up next he’s likely to get a guy he’s already beaten as it’s between Volkov, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Blaydes and Rozenstruik are booked for a fight in the near future so given the uncertainly as to what’s going to happen there, pencil in Volkov.
