- Francis Ngannou was pegged as a -190 favorite over Ciryl Gane before Gane’s win over Derrick Lewis.
- After the win at UFC 265, Gane jumped to a -130 favorite over Ngannou.
- The odds have since settled at a pick ‘em.
LAS VEGAS - With Derrick Lewis dispatched, Ciryl Gane is the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, but the real champion is still with the promotion. Effectively, Gane is the number one contender for the belt, and the odds on the potential Gane vs. Francis Ngannou matchup have swung wildly.
Gane claimed the interim title at UFC 265, which was, perhaps, his first exposure to many casual MMA betting fans.
Before UFC 265, he had not headlined a UFC PPV, and he was utterly dominant in his win against Derrick Lewis, whose popularity is well established. Still, the odds gap between pre-265 and post-265 is remarkable and worth discussing and understanding for any online gambling fan.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane Odds (Before UFC 265)
- Francis Ngannou -190
- Ciryl Gane +165
Before UFC 265, Ngannou was a heavy favorite over Gane, as he dominated heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic in his title rematch. Ngannou was cruising, the dominant heavyweight champion, the Mike Tyson of MMA - and then he got involved in contract disputes with the UFC.
These disputes led to the creation of the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship, as a way of pressuring Ngannou, and devaluing him as champion.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane Odds (Immediately After UFC 265)
- Francis Ngannou +110
- Ciryl Gane -130
Gane, meanwhile, took full advantage, dismantling Derrick Lewis in front of a hometown Houston crowd.
His performance was undeniable, and Google Trends data see him eclipsing Ngannou in terms of searches in the wake of the fight. It is entirely possible that Gane’s burst on the odds boards reflects more people seeing his fighting style, which is unique at heavyweight due to his speed and quickness.
Those people may have then rushed to the online sportsbooks to get in on a fighter who could be the next big thing - and, in doing so, forgot about the guy who was the next big thing only a few months ago.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane Odds (Current)
- Francis Ngannou -110
- Ciryl Gane -110
However, the odds swiftly shook back to even, where they will likely stay until the fight actually happens. The matchup between Ngannou and Gane is fascinating, as Gane has the ability to pick fighters apart from range, while Ngannou has the belt, a win over Stipe Miocic, and unparalleled KO power to his name.
This sharp movement in odds gives online gambling fans a stark reminder of the importance of timing when betting on sports.