The betting lines are open for the upcoming interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 265 and [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] is slated as a big favorite.
The news of the matchup between Gane (9-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] caught the MMA world by surprise on Monday. The expectation was that Lewis (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) would be next in line to face the current champ Francis Ngannou, but apparently, plans have changed.
Shortly after the news broke, online sportsbook BetOnline.ag released odds for the upcoming title fight with Gane listed as a sizable favorite right out of the gate.
The sportsbook listed Gane as a -325 favorite, whereas Lewis opened as a +275 underdog.
Opening odds for Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane at #UFC265
Derrick Lewis +275
Ciryl Gane -325 pic.twitter.com/jbMaHWJOFj— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) June 29, 2021
For comparison, the same sportsbook had Gane listed only as a slight favorite at -137 over his recent opponent Alexander Volkov at UFC Fight Night 190.
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The oddsmakers seem to believe that Gane’s skills will present problems for Lewis, who will be fighting for UFC gold at home in Houston.
Gane is undefeated in his professional career through nine fights, six of which were under the UFC banner. Lewis, on the other hand, has the experience edge by a wide margin with 32 professional bouts to his credit. He’s also currently running hot on a streak of four straight wins.
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