UFC 265: 5 names to look out for

#2. Rafael Fiziev - UFC lightweight

UFC 256: Moicano v Fiziev

Given what happened in his last UFC appearance, Rafael Fiziev has to be on this list. Against Renato Moicano, a Brazilian who was once tipped for featherweight greatness, the Kyrgyzstani provided one of the most impressive knockouts of 2020. The speed, precision and accuracy was something to behold, and he'll look to repeat it on the UFC 265 prelims this Saturday when he faces 15-fight UFC veteran Bobby Green.

Fiziev, who fights out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, made his UFC debut in 2019. Having built an unbeaten 6-0 professional record, which included six stoppages, five of which came in the very first round, 'Ataman' lost his first bout in the octagon against Magomed Mustafaev.

Since then, he's shown why he's always been so highly touted. Unanimous decision wins against Alex White and Marc Diakese preceded his dominant display against Moicano last time out. He'll look to register his seventh KO victory and extend his winning streak to four this weekend when he takes on Green. A Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night bonus seems likely in this lightweight contest.

Striking 𝙊𝙉 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏 ⚡️ 💢 Will we see another stunning performance from @RafaelFiziev this Saturday? [ #UFC265 | Aug 7 | LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/s0hnQ0rnOT ] pic.twitter.com/Q7yufpuWLK

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2021

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#1. Ciryl Gane - UFC heavyweight

UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov

Ciryl Gane is the main man to watch this weekend in Houston because he has the chance to do something not many have managed. If he can defeat the powerful Derrick Lewis in Saturday's main event, Gane will have successfully won UFC gold as an undefeated fighter.

'Bon Gamin' debuted in the UFC as a 3-0 heavyweight in 2019. Despite lacking MMA experience, Gane's unbeaten Muay Thai background was enough to convince the UFC to sign him. Six fights later and Gane has maintained the undefeated start to his career and racked up wins against the likes of Tanner Boser, former champion Junior dos Santos, knockout machine Jairzinho Rozenstruik and, most recently, Alexander Volkov.

His unique heavyweight style allowed him to neutralize the powerful threat the likes of Rozenstruik and Volkov posed. Now, in his third consecutive main event, he'll look to do the same in front of a packed-out Toyota Center against Houston's own Lewis.

Gane is France's best hope for a UFC champion and he'll hope to become an interim one at UFC 265.