Ciryl Gane
Bon Gamin
France
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.
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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.
Volkov rematch scratched
Gane will not fight Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Volkov has withdrawn from UFC 308 because of a knee injury. Reportedly, the Gane-Volkov rematch is re-scheduled for UFC 310, expected to take place Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. However, that is not a guarantee, resulting in Gane's return date being unclear.
Volkov has withdrawn from UFC 308 because of a knee injury. Reportedly, the Gane-Volkov rematch is re-scheduled for UFC 310, expected to take place Dec. 7 in Las Vegas. However, that is not a guarantee, resulting in Gane's return date being unclear.
Volkov up next
Gane has agreed to compete against fellow heavyweight Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26, per Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
While nothing is certain about the current UFC Heavyweight Championship picture, Gane fighting Volkov will be the UFC's attempt to clear up some of the division's rankings. Gane's next opponent is competing off some strong momentum, with his last fight being an upset win over Sergei Pavlovich at the UFC's inaugural Saudi Arabia event. However, Gane's momentum is not too shabby, with his last fight being a TKO win over Serghei Spivac. Gane also defeated Volkov handily via decision in June 2021.
While nothing is certain about the current UFC Heavyweight Championship picture, Gane fighting Volkov will be the UFC's attempt to clear up some of the division's rankings. Gane's next opponent is competing off some strong momentum, with his last fight being an upset win over Sergei Pavlovich at the UFC's inaugural Saudi Arabia event. However, Gane's momentum is not too shabby, with his last fight being a TKO win over Serghei Spivac. Gane also defeated Volkov handily via decision in June 2021.
Gets right back in win column
Gane defeated Sergey Spivac via TKO (punches) at 3:44 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
It's no secret Gane is a high-end striker and an exceptional athlete for a heavyweight. It's also no secret he's not a good wrestler, which he why he spent this camp working on his takedown defense, assuming Spivac would shoot on him early and often. Instead, Spivac was more than willing to engage Gane in what for all the world looked like a low-level sparring match. The Frenchman is going to win that every single time, as he did here. When all was said and done, Gane stuffed Spivac's lone takedown attempt and closed with a 110-11 edge in total strikes landed. He likely would have won regardless, but the complete no-show on Spivac's part certainly helped matters. Gane has now alternated wins and losses in his past four bouts. The lopsided victory would also be enough for Gane to be awarded with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
It's no secret Gane is a high-end striker and an exceptional athlete for a heavyweight. It's also no secret he's not a good wrestler, which he why he spent this camp working on his takedown defense, assuming Spivac would shoot on him early and often. Instead, Spivac was more than willing to engage Gane in what for all the world looked like a low-level sparring match. The Frenchman is going to win that every single time, as he did here. When all was said and done, Gane stuffed Spivac's lone takedown attempt and closed with a 110-11 edge in total strikes landed. He likely would have won regardless, but the complete no-show on Spivac's part certainly helped matters. Gane has now alternated wins and losses in his past four bouts. The lopsided victory would also be enough for Gane to be awarded with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.