Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Koo_Logo Versions
Follow on KOO

Derrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms

More from author

Saikat Banerjee
Saikat Banerjee
A wordsmith who indulges in the world of combat sports, Saikat Banerjee is an MMA, boxing, and arm wrestling content writer at The MMA India Show and The Sports Room. Apart from combat sports, he also engages in Indian sports content at The Sports India Show. Currently pursuing an MBA from Jadavpur University, Saikat's other interests lie in motorcycling, working out, and travelling.
- Advertisement -

An interim heavyweight title fight between Derrick Lewis (25-7, 1NC) and Ciryl Gane (9-0) has been set as the main event of UFC 265 on 7th August, the promotion president Dana White has confirmed.

Although an official confirmation from the UFC is yet to arrive, Brett Okamoto of ESPN revealed on Twitter that the progress towards an interim heavyweight championship was made after Francis Ngannou, the reigning heavyweight champ was unavailable for a title defense in both June as well as August.

Francis Ngannou tells Mike Tyson he didn't think he KO'd Stipe Miocic - 'I was like why are you falling down?'

Lewis vs Gane: Interim heavyweight belt “a complete shock”, says Ngannou’s agent

As per White, UFC is ready to give a title shot to both Lewis and Gane, who are the current number 2 and number 3 ranked heavyweights in the UFC, respectively. Ngannou, on the other hand, won the heavyweight belt against former titlist Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 on 27th March via a 2nd round knockout.

However, as quoted by Okamoto, Ngannou’s agent Marquel Martin was under “complete shock” to see an interim fight happening in such a short time frame.

“This comes as a complete shock. To make an interim title so soon, if you look at the history of this division, it comes as a surprise. We hope to get clarity and figure out something with the UFC soon,” said Martin.

While the creation of an interim heavyweight belt has come as a shocker for Ngannou’s agent, Okamoto further clarified that it will have no impact on Ngannou’s undisputed championship status.

A former UFC Heavyweight title contender, “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis was last seen in action against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Vegas 19 on 20th February in Las Vegas, marking his fourth straight victory via a 2nd round KO.

Derrick Lewis on landing extra punches after Curtis Blaydes KO: 'That's not my fault, that's Herb Dean's fault' - MMA INDIA

Gane, on the other hand, marked a victory by unanimous decision against Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30 on 26th June. The undefeated Frenchman, nicknamed “Bon Gamin”, is on a six fight win streak in the UFC.

UFC Vegas 30 in Tweets: Pros react to Ciryl Gane's unanimous decision over Alexander Volkov - MMA Fighting

The UFC 265, which will head for the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on 7th August, is also expected to see a title fight between Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes and The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate bantamweight winner Julianna Peña.

Between Lewis and Gane, who do you think is the favourite to win the interim heavyweight title? Let us know in the comments.

Purchase the UFC merch here.

Click to Predict here.

Download the Fanatics Fantasy MMA app here.

SHARE
Derrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms - LewisDerrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms - LewisDerrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms - LewisDerrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms - LewisDerrick Lewis to face Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 main event for interim heavyweight title, Dana White confirms - Lewis

If any content is used from this article, kindly backlink to this page.

If you like reading about sports, make sure you check out SportsIndiaShow.com
Also follow India’s biggest arm wrestling tournament at ProPanja.com

- Advertisement -

Related articles