Ciryl Gane
Bon Gamin
France
Becomes two-time UFC champ
Gane won the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship for a second time on Sunday, defeating Alex Pereira via TKO (punches) at 1:27 of Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington DC.
ANALYSIS
It may be a stretch to say this was the biggest fight of Gane's career since he had fought for the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship on three different occasions in the past, but this was clearly the biggest stage he's been on to date. Certainly not overwhelmed by the surroundings, Gane looked comfortable throughout. He won Round 1 on all three scorecards, although neither man accomplished much in the opening frame. That all changed in Round 2. Gane, who is not known for his power, dropped Pereira with a right jab, which dropped the Brazilian. Sensing his opponent was in major trouble, Ciryl pushed for the finish. He could have had it a good 30 seconds earlier if referee Herb Dean was on top of the things, but the damage inflicted by Gane eventually became too much. This is by far the cleanest result for the UFC. Gane and current heavyweight king Tom Aspinall fought last October, with the former getting the better of the action for four-plus minutes before an accidental eye poke left the latter unable to continue. Gane's age (36 in May is a concern), but he appears to be legitimately improving. He and Aspinall will meet again at some point.
It may be a stretch to say this was the biggest fight of Gane's career since he had fought for the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship on three different occasions in the past, but this was clearly the biggest stage he's been on to date. Certainly not overwhelmed by the surroundings, Gane looked comfortable throughout. He won Round 1 on all three scorecards, although neither man accomplished much in the opening frame. That all changed in Round 2. Gane, who is not known for his power, dropped Pereira with a right jab, which dropped the Brazilian. Sensing his opponent was in major trouble, Ciryl pushed for the finish. He could have had it a good 30 seconds earlier if referee Herb Dean was on top of the things, but the damage inflicted by Gane eventually became too much. This is by far the cleanest result for the UFC. Gane and current heavyweight king Tom Aspinall fought last October, with the former getting the better of the action for four-plus minutes before an accidental eye poke left the latter unable to continue. Gane's age (36 in May is a concern), but he appears to be legitimately improving. He and Aspinall will meet again at some point.
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Co-main at White House
Gane will take on Alex Pereira for the Interim Heavyweight Championship at the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14.
ANALYSIS
Gane caught a bit of a tough break his last time out, though it was at least in part his own doing. He got off to a fast start against champion Tom Aspinall in October, but repeated eye pokes stopped the bout, and the end result was a no-contest. Aspinall has since had multiple eye surgeries and would not be ready to defend his belt on this card, so the UFC will instead go the interim route, with Gane facing a dangerous striker in Pereira, who is moving up weight class in an attempt to become a two-division champion. Pereira cut a ton of weight at middleweight and light heavyweight, so Gane doesn't have as big of a size advantage as some might think. Both are strikers by trade, who average more than five significant strikes per minute of fight time, so expect this to be a stand-up, high-volume affair. Gane actually opened as the favorite here offshore, but the lines quickly flipped in favor of Pereira.
Gane caught a bit of a tough break his last time out, though it was at least in part his own doing. He got off to a fast start against champion Tom Aspinall in October, but repeated eye pokes stopped the bout, and the end result was a no-contest. Aspinall has since had multiple eye surgeries and would not be ready to defend his belt on this card, so the UFC will instead go the interim route, with Gane facing a dangerous striker in Pereira, who is moving up weight class in an attempt to become a two-division champion. Pereira cut a ton of weight at middleweight and light heavyweight, so Gane doesn't have as big of a size advantage as some might think. Both are strikers by trade, who average more than five significant strikes per minute of fight time, so expect this to be a stand-up, high-volume affair. Gane actually opened as the favorite here offshore, but the lines quickly flipped in favor of Pereira.
Accidental foul leads to no contest
Gane and Tom Aspinall fought to a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 4:35 of Round 1 in their UFC Heavyweight Championship bout at UFC 321 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Gane looked good throughout Round 1, largely getting the better of the striking exchanges with Aspinall and stuffing the latter's lone takedown attempt. He then clipped the champ with an accidental eye poke, which after about a four-plus minute delay, led to referee Jason Herzog and the doctors calling things off. It would be shocking if the company doesn't re-book this one in the very near future.
Gane looked good throughout Round 1, largely getting the better of the striking exchanges with Aspinall and stuffing the latter's lone takedown attempt. He then clipped the champ with an accidental eye poke, which after about a four-plus minute delay, led to referee Jason Herzog and the doctors calling things off. It would be shocking if the company doesn't re-book this one in the very near future.
Gets another shot at UFC gold
Gane will take on Tom Aspinall for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 321 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
Gane has fought for at least a version of the heavyweight belt on three different occasions, but he came up short in his last two attempts against all-time greats Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. With Jones now retired, and Gane riding a two-fight winning streak, the latter will get another shot. Aspinall will rightfully enter as the favorite, as he's won eight of nine UFC fights, all via stoppage, with seven Performance of the Night bonuses on his resume. If Gane hasn't made significant improvements to his takedown defense ahead of facing a capable wrestler in Aspinall, it could be a short night at the office.
Gane has fought for at least a version of the heavyweight belt on three different occasions, but he came up short in his last two attempts against all-time greats Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. With Jones now retired, and Gane riding a two-fight winning streak, the latter will get another shot. Aspinall will rightfully enter as the favorite, as he's won eight of nine UFC fights, all via stoppage, with seven Performance of the Night bonuses on his resume. If Gane hasn't made significant improvements to his takedown defense ahead of facing a capable wrestler in Aspinall, it could be a short night at the office.
Fortunate to emerge with win
Gane defeated Alexander Volkov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
All you need to do is watch Gane's reaction after the decision was announced to tell you who deserved to win this fight. Hint -- it wasn't Ciryl. That's not to say Gane was dominated by any means. It was a close, back-and-forth affair in which both guys leaned on their wrestling. Neither man landed a takedown back in their June 2021 meeting, but they combined for five here on just eight attempts. Gane showed improved grappling at times, but also made some key mistakes on the mat. It was revealed in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that he also suffered a foot injury in Round 1. Had gone not gotten this decision, he would have fallen to 2-3 in his past five bouts. Now, he's still firmly in the title conversation in a thin heavyweight division.
All you need to do is watch Gane's reaction after the decision was announced to tell you who deserved to win this fight. Hint -- it wasn't Ciryl. That's not to say Gane was dominated by any means. It was a close, back-and-forth affair in which both guys leaned on their wrestling. Neither man landed a takedown back in their June 2021 meeting, but they combined for five here on just eight attempts. Gane showed improved grappling at times, but also made some key mistakes on the mat. It was revealed in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that he also suffered a foot injury in Round 1. Had gone not gotten this decision, he would have fallen to 2-3 in his past five bouts. Now, he's still firmly in the title conversation in a thin heavyweight division.
Scheduled against Volkov again
Gane is scheduled to compete against fellow heavyweight Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Gane and Volkov were scheduled to compete at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26. Volkov withdrew from that event, and Dec. 7 was projected to be their fight date instead. That has come to fruition, giving both fighters another few months of preparation.
Gane and Volkov were scheduled to compete at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26. Volkov withdrew from that event, and Dec. 7 was projected to be their fight date instead. That has come to fruition, giving both fighters another few months of preparation.