UFC 265 Results: Ciryl Gane Wins UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship

In a comfortable rhythm as he kept Houston’s Lewis off-balance, Gane was as cool as ever in the second, even as Lewis got more aggressive. Midway through the round, the two clinched, Gane controlling the action as he landed knees to the leg until they separated. In the closing minute, both swung hard haymakers at each other, but nothing hit paydirt.

Gane opened up the third with a solid offensive attack, firing off kicks to the leg and right hands to the head, all of which received no response from Lewis, who had dug himself a deep hole on the scorecards. Even in the clinch, Gane retained control, and with two minutes left, Gane opened up after hurting Lewis with a leg kick. A barrage of punches had Lewis in trouble, and while he swung back, trying to catch Gane napping, the Frenchman wasn’t having it, and an ensuing series of punches put Lewis on the deck, where the final shots brought in referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight at XXX of the third round.

Gane moves to 10-0 with the win. The No.2-ranked Lewis falls to 25-8, 1 NC.

Official result – Ciryl Gane def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (strikes) at 4:11 of round three

Munhoz was the aggressor for much of the opening round, but Aldo’s defense was solid and his counters sharp. That didn’t mean Munhoz didn’t get his share of shots in, but the best offensive bursts came from the fists and feet of the former featherweight champ, who was in a solid rhythm throughout the second stanza, allowing him to up his striking accuracy while ripping shots to the body. Munhoz was right there with him, but he needed to be able to pull away, and Aldo wasn’t having it.

Aldo opened up the final frame with a pair of flurries, immediately getting Munhoz’ attention. “The Young Punisher” took everything well and began pressing again. Aldo was feeling it, though, and he tagged Munhoz with the harder shots down the stretch.

Using lateral movement to start, Chiesa forced Luque to chase him, and when the Brazilian tagged him, Chiesa scored a slick takedown. On the mat, Chiesa nearly locked in a choke, but Luque got free and then turned the tables, sinking in the D’Arce choke that forced a tap out at 3:25 of the opening round.

With the win, the No.6-ranked Luque moves to 21-7-1. The No.5-ranked Chiesa falls to 18-5.

Official result – Vicente Luque def. Michael Chiesa via submission (D’Arce choke) at 3:25 of round one

The rivals took turns trading momentum in a busy opening round for both fighters, but it was Torres who held the edge in scoring over the first five minutes.

Hill scored a brief takedown in round two, adding grappling to her striking attack as she tried to wear Torres down, but the “Tiny Tornado” wasn’t bothered as she continued to fire off punches in bunches chased by kicks. And though Hill had some daylight when Torres slipped to the mat late, time ran out on “Overkill.”

Hill outworked Torres for much of the third round, but a late takedown by Torres added to her point total en route to the hard-fought win.

Official result – Tecia Torres def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Song’s striking was sharp in the opening round whether he was using his punches or kicks. A brief trip to the mat allowed Kenney to get some offensive daylight, but only briefly.

Kenney and Song kept the pace high in round two, with Kenney beginning to land harder shots as the round progressed. But Song wasn’t rattled by his opponent’s success, and he stuck to the game plan in the final frame, even as Kenney surged late and punctuated his attack with a takedown in the closing moments.

Official result – Song Yadong def. Casey Kenney via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Fiziev’s kicks came in hard and fast, but Green was landing punches upstairs in the early going while avoiding incoming fire. Fiziev got closer as the round progressed, but Green was making him miss more than he was used to as he scored with his counters, wrapping up an entertaining first round.

The fighters got right back after it to start the second stanza, and though Green’s defense was largely effective, even if Fiziev was missing three punches, he was still getting one in, and just before the midway point of the round, Fiziev drilled Green with a pair of right hands that stunned the Californian. Green cleared his head quickly, though, and with a minute left, he willingly traded with Fiziev at close range.

Green’s showmanship was on full display in the third, as he talked to Fiziev and dropped his hands, all while firing off punches upstairs. Fiziev kept moving forward, but he was getting tagged more and more as Green’s work rate soared and it was the “King” finishing stronger as he appeared to rattle his opponent in the closing stages of the bout.

Official result – Rafael Fiziev def. Bobby Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Rodriguez won a largely tactical first round behind a patient striking attack that marked up Morales’ face. Add in some solid takedown defense from the Iowan, and he was able to secure an early lead.

Morales used a right hand to put Rodriguez on the deck early in round two, and he got busier with his strikes, drawing even with his foe.

The third round remained close, each fighter having their moments, but Morales surged enough to grab the close victory.

Official result – Vince Morales def. Drako Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Scores were 30-27 across the board for Menifield, now 11-2. Herman falls to 27-15, 1 NC.

A steady diet of leg kicks and jabs by Menifield kept Herman at bay throughout the first round, not allowing his opponent to get close enough to grapple with his foe.

Herman got some daylight when Menifield slipped to the canvas in the second minute of round two, but the Texan rose immediately and unloaded on Herman with power shots against the fence. “Short Fuse” was cool under pressure, and he resumed chasing Menifield, eating a few shots but shaking them off. Herman couldn’t shake off the leg kicks, though, and he was forced to switch stances in order to avoid more incoming fire.

Before the start of the third round, the doctor checked Herman’s leg out, and while he cleared him to continue, Menifield put the veteran on the mat to begin the frame, and he landed several hard shots before putting the fight back on the feet. Herman kept battling to the end, but it was clearly Menifield’s night.

Official result – Alonzo Menifield def. Ed Herman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The fight went to the mat in the opening minute, Penne (14-6) ultimately working her way into the top position. Kowalkiewicz (12-7) stayed busy from her back, but Penne went for her foe’s arm. Kowalkiewicz tried to slam her way out of trouble, but Penne stick with the armbar until the Poland native tapped out at 4:32 of the first round.

Official result – Jessica Penne def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via submission (armbar) at 4:32 of round one

It was an interesting start to the fight as the two combatants looked for an opening, and when the fists started flying, Osbourne landed a couple hard left hands, but late in the frame, Kape landed a flying right knee to the chin that dropped Osbourne, and moments later, referee Jeff Rexroad stopped the bout. The official time was 4:44 of round one.

Kape, who missed weight for the bout at 129 pounds, improves to 16-6. Osbourne falls to 9-4, 1 NC.

Official result – Manel Kape def. Ode’ Osbourne via knockout at 4:44 of round one

Johns had an impressive first round behind thudding leg kicks and sharp jabs upstairs, and between rounds, dos Santos told his corner that his leg was compromised, forcing him to open the second in the southpaw stance. Johns kept the pressure on, but dos Santos didn’t back down under fire. Johns’ right hand was on target, though, prompting a takedown attempt from the Brazilian, who ate some more hard shots when he came up empty. And early in the third round, Johns drills dos Santos with a single right upstairs that dropped his foe and ended the bout. The official time of referee Kerry Hatley’s stoppage was 1:16 of round three.

Johns moves to 12-1 with the win. Dos Santos falls to 21-9.

Official result – Miles Johns def. Anderson dos Santos via knockout at 1:16 of round three

Gatto (7-0-2) tripped Leonardo (8-5) to the mat in the second minute of the fight, and though Leonardo reversed position, the Brazilian tried a couple submissions before taking her opponent’s back. Leonardo again got out of trouble, getting the fight back to the feet with under a minute to go.

The bout stayed standing in the second, and Gatto controlled the action as Leonardo tired, and as the Louisianan went back to her corner, she told her corner that her right arm was unusable. And while Leonardo wanted to continue, the doctor overruled her as he realized that the arm was broken, and the fight was stopped.

Official result – Melissa Gatto def. Victoria Leonardo via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round two

The first round was largely uneventful until a takedown by Munoz with 30 seconds left, and in the second minute of round two, he added another one. This time, he took Simmons’ back and went to work, looking for the rear naked choke that forced a tap out at the 2:35 mark.

Munoz moves to 11-1 with the win. Simmons falls to 7-4.

Official result – Johnny Munoz def. Jamey Simmons via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:35 of round two.