“I think today I proved it. I don’t need another fight for the title shot.”
Ciryl Gane believes he should be next in line to challenge for the heavyweight title following his shutout win over Alexander Volkov in last night’s UFC Fight Night 190 main event in Las Vegas.
Gane beat Volkov to extend his win streak to nine bouts and, despite only making his MMA debut in 2018, believes he’s already ready to take over the heavyweight division and become the next champion.
“I think today I proved it,” Gane told MMA Junkie following his decision win over Volkov. “I don’t need another fight for the title shot. I think this guy Volkov was a really great challenge to prove it, and I proved it. I did it. So, tomorrow, yes, if the UFC want to match me for the title shot, I’m ready.”
With current champ Francis Ngannou expected to defend his title against Derrick Lewis next, ‘Bon Gamin’ is willing to sit on the sidelines and fight the winner.
“I think we can wait,” Gane said. “This will give us time to improve in some department of myself. So I can wait, and I have a baby coming next month.”
Gane actually used to train with Ngannou at the same gym in France and was understandably reluctant to fight ‘The Predator’ earlier in his career but, now that the latter has relocated to the U.S., Gane is much more comfortable about the situation and believes both men are destined to fight for the title.
“I’m comfortable with this matchup if this matchup is going to happen,” Gane said. “Now, for title, I’m really comfortable with this situation because we was born in the same gym. Before, it was a little bit (uncomfortable), you know? Now I’m comfortable. We’re going to fight for the belt. This is beautiful for us, for me, for him and my coach.”
Gane (9-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is currently ranked #3 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.