This week UFC heads to the Toyota Center in Houston, where this weekend’s card will see the interim heavyweight title up for grabs.
Beware of the Beast
The interim heavyweight champion will be named during this card’s main event as no.2 contender Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis faces no.3 contender Ciryl ‘Bon Gamin’ Gane.
Since going pro in 2010, Derrick Lewis has established himself as one of the most entertaining heavyweights on the planet. He holds a 25-7 record, 20 of these being knockouts. He has the most heavyweight knockouts in heavyweight history, including his last two fights which were both second-round knockouts. Before taking up fighting, he was an AAA tow truck driver, and now he is only one fight away from being an interim champion.
In only his third year of pro MMA fighting, Ciryl Gane has the longest active win streak in the UFC heavyweight division. He is undefeated, holding a 9-0 record, his last win coming by decision over Alexander Volkov back in June. He has displayed versatility in his fighting, winning three fights via knockout and three by submission. Prior to competing professionally in MMA, Gane used to sell luxury furniture in France.
Veteran finishers face off
Two ranked veterans are facing off in the bantamweight division as no.5 ranked José Aldo takes on no.9 ranked Pedro ‘The Young Punisher’ Munhoz.
José Aldo has been competing in the UFC since 2011 and has had a rich career thus far. He was awarded the first-ever UFC featherweight title in 2010 and defended it seven times before his first UFC defeat. He holds a 29-7 record and 18 of those wins were finishes, 17 via knockout and one by submission. He played football in Brazil before opting to compete in MMA professionally.
In good form, Pedro Munhoz has won eight of his last 11. The Young Punisher has established himself as a finisher, finishing 13 of his 19 pro victories, eight via submission and five by knockout. He holds a black belt in BJJ and was an instructor for BJJ and Muay Thai before going pro. He is exciting to watch, earning six fight bonuses – three performance of the night awards and three fight of the night bonuses.
Tiny Tornado looks to cause a big storm
Two ranked strawweight contenders are going head-to-head as Tecia ‘Tiny Tornado’ Torres locks horns with Angela ‘Overkill’ Hill.
Tecia Torres has been professional since 2012 and holds a 12-5 record. She holds a win over Rose Namajunas and is currently ranked no.10 in the strawweight division. She holds a black belt in Jhoon-Rhee Taekwondo and a blue belt in BJJ. Before going pro, the Tiny Tornado was working in customer care on a cruise line.
Angela Hill is seeking her second win of the year, after defeating Ashley Yodder in March. She has won five of her last eight and is the no.12 ranked contender. Hill holds a 13-9 record and has been competing since 2014. She has a variety of skills outside the Octagon, having worked as an animator and a bartender before going pro in MMA.