The current plan, at least from what we’ve been told by the promotion, is that reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will make his first 265-pound title defense opposite longtime rival Derrick Lewis, though nothing is official at this time.
And their long-awaited rematch continues to get pushed back.
A lot can happen over the next few months, especially with “The Black Beast’s” history of back problems, so it probably would not come as much of a surprise if matchmakers instead tapped Ciryl Gane to battle “The Predator” later this year.
Stranger things have happened.
If so, expect “Bon Gamin” to be a healthy underdog to the current champ. BetOnline.ag opened Gane at +165 against -190 to Ngannou. As with all betting lines, this will continue to fluctuate as money starts trickling in — in both directions.
The undefeated Gane (9-0) is fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30 last weekend in Las Vegas (highlights here), while Ngannou (16-3) has won five straight, all by way of devastating knockout.
Ngannou vs. Gane … who ya’ got?