Two main events, down to one.
One bout features an undefeated fighter. The other was going to showcase perhaps the greatest female in MMA history. But Brazilian Amanda Nunes (“The Lioness”) has tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout has been postponed, according to multiple reports.
Even with that big bit of unfortunate news, UFC 265 should still pack a big punch.
The event is scheduled for Sat., Aug. 7th at the Toyota Center in Houston. In the main event, American heavyweight Derrick Lewis (25-7-0) will be competing in his hometown against undefeated French fighter Ciryl Gane (9-0-0). The winner will capture the interim heavyweight title and earn a matchup with Francis Ngannou (the previous heavyweight champion) in the future.
UFC 265 Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane odds in PA
DraftKings Sportsbook currently has Gane at -350 on the moneyline for the title bout. Gane defeated Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision in his last fight in June.
Lewis, a fearsome striker with 20 career KO/TKO wins, is +270 at DraftKings. He is entering UFC 265 following two straight KO/TKO victories over Aleksei Oleinik (August 2020) and Curtis Blaydes (February 2021).
DraftKings has the over/under for Lewis/Gane set at 4.5 rounds. The over is priced at +130, with the under set at -160. It’s a sign that oddsmakers expect plenty of punches in the final fight.
“The Lioness” down for the count, will miss UFC 265
In the co-main event, Nunes was set for her first fight since a submission victory over Megan Anderson in March. Nunes is widely considered to be one of the greatest female fighters in MMA history.
She has won 12 straight fights, nine of which were title defenses. Nunes also owns victories over storied fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm and Miesha Tate. So it’s perhaps no surprise that she was a heavy favorite at UFC 265 with odds of -850 at DraftKings.
DraftKings had her opponent, Julianna Pena, at odds of +575. Pena’s last fight was a submission victory over Sara McMann at UFC 257 in January.
The over/under for Nunes/Pena was set at 1.5 rounds, but now it will have to wait. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell told ESPN that the fight would be delayed until Nunes is fully healthy and ready to get back in the Octagon.
Moneylines are live for all UFC 265 fights
There are currently 11 total fights on the UFC 265 card. PA online sportsbooks should have wagers available on each fight’s moneyline, total rounds, and some prop bets as well. Live betting will also be available on a number of bouts during the event. The complete list of fights and the moneyline odds at DraftKings are as follows:
- Derrick Lewis (+270) vs. Ciryl Gane (-360)
- Jose Aldo (-135) vs. Pedro Munhoz (+115)
- Vicente Luque (-140) vs. Michael Chiesa (+120)
- Tecia Torres (-130) vs. Angela Hill (+110)
- Manel Kape (-210) vs. Ode Osbourne (+175)
- Johnny Munoz (-225) vs. Jamey Simmons (+185)
- Victoria Leonardo (+125) vs. Melissa Gatto (-140)
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz (-115) vs. Jessica Penne (-105)
- Alonzo Menifield (-240) vs. Ed Herman (+195)
- Vince Morales (+120) vs. Drako Rodriguez (-140)
- Song Yadong (-105) vs. Casey Kenney (-115)
Daily fantasy players should also have some options available for UFC 265. Both DraftKings and FanDuel will post contests closer to the event.
The early prelims for UFC 265 will start at 6 p.m. on ESPN2/ESPN+ with the main card moving to ESPN Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m.
Where to watch UFC 265
For those looking to watch UFC 265 in a crowd, Live! Casino Pittsburgh will show the fights on the 40-feet screen inside Sports and Social Steel City, starting at 8 p.m.
Reservations have limited availability at OpenTable.com. Viewers will also have access to the FanDuel-branded sportsbook and the venue’s entertainment offerings, which include foosball, a golf simulator, darts, shuffleboard, bubble hockey, pop-a-shot and bowling.
So August 7th should be full of action, around Pittsburgh and down at UFC 265 in Houston too.
The “Lioness” will not make an appearance, but Derrick Lewis will be fighting for a hometown crowd heavily in his corner.
And that in itself is a title bout worth watching.
