New month, new PPV. The UFC are back in Houston Texas for UFC 265 and although this event hasn’t had much hype, all the fights are interesting on this card.
Song Yadong vs Casey Kenney – Bantamweight Division
I mentioned in my mini preview of this card that this fight would be fireworks. I genuinely expect this to be fight of the night even if it doesn’t go the distance. Song Yadong comes into this bout 16-5-1 and is an excellent striker. He does train at Team Alpha Male so he does have grappling if he needs it. Kenney comes into this fight 16-3-1 and is also a striker. We saw against Dom Cruz that he can take countless shots and continue to stalk his opponent so I expect him to do the same here. I also expect him to try and break down Yadong with the leg kicks, which he’ll try and counter with straights. This is a tough fight to pick but I’m going to take Kenney by decision.
Prediction: Casey Kenney by decision
Tecia Torres vs Angela Hill – Strawweight Division
Another close fight to call here. If I was a betting man, I’d stay away from this one. Tecia Torres is an extremely explosive striker, I expect her to throw multiple kicks at Angela. However, I’d say Angela is a slightly better striker, as she’s much more patient on the feet than Tecia. If things are looking tough for Tecia on the feet, I’d expect her to attempt a takedown, even though Angela’s take down defence is sound.. I think I’m going to take Angela Hill on this one. I believe that she will have the better of the exchanges on the feet.
Prediction: Angela Hill by decision
Michael Chiesa vs Vincente Luque – Welterweight Division
Another fight of the night contender in my eyes. Luque comes into this one 20-7-1 in his career so far. Primarily a boxer, he has the power to put down anyone in the Welterweight division. His grappling is incredible as well. We saw him use both of these in his win over Tyron Woodley earlier this year. Chiesa comes into this fight 18-4 and is a master of jiu-jitsu. We haven’t seen him submit someone since UFC 232 against Carlos Condit, but if he can’t find a submission, he’ll simply dominate his opposition on the ground with his large frame and grappling expertise. The questions for this fight are, will Chiesa be able to takedown and dominate Luque on the ground, if not then I can only see one winner and, if he can take Luque down, how good is Luque off his back. Another tough call for me, but I’m going to take Luque. I think he’ll be able to survive a Chiesa takedown attempt flurry and maybe submit him like Kevin Lee and Anthony Pettis did.
Prediction: Vincente Luque by submission in round 2
Jose Aldo vs Pedro Munhoz – Bantamweight Division
This will be the battle of the low kicks. Both men love to attack the lead leg and I can already envision both of them trading them during the fight. Munhoz does have a BJJ background that he rarely calls upon but it’s there if he needs it. Aldo will definitely have the advantage in the boxing. He is lightning fast and the legend is a master of technique and accuracy and I think, he’ll win this on the feet. If Munhoz wins this fight I think he’ll have to break Aldo down and win by TKO in round 3 or by decision.
Prediction: Jose Aldo by TKO in round 3
Derrick Lewis vs Ciryl Gane – Interim Heavyweight Championship
This fight is very easy to break down. Gane is the better striker and will hit Lewis with leg kicks and jabs and whatever until he leaves his head open once and receives a nasty right hand from Derrick that will KO him flat out. Or Gane will outscore Lewis as he’s technically better and win by decision. I’m going with Lewis to win by KO early.
Prediction: Derrick Lewis by KO in round 2
TheWrestlingFallacy 