Tag: Ciryl Gane

Francis Ngannou reacts to Ciryl Gane’s 3rd round KO over Tai Tuivasa: “Hard to be impressed”

NgannouThe UFC’s inaugural event in France concluded on Saturday night in awe-inspiring style, as Ciryl Gane saw his hand raised in front of a sold out stadium. All five French fighters picked up impressive victories, and Ciryl Gane brought Accor Arena to their feet with a 3rd round knockout over Australia’s Tai Tuivasa in the […]

Ngannou

The UFC’s inaugural event in France concluded on Saturday night in awe-inspiring style, as Ciryl Gane saw his hand raised in front of a sold out stadium. All five French fighters picked up impressive victories, and Ciryl Gane brought Accor Arena to their feet with a 3rd round knockout over Australia’s Tai Tuivasa in the main event.

Sitting cage-side was none other than the heavyweight champion himself, Francis Ngannou, who started his MMA career in France before leaving to train in Las Vegas.

After controlling most of the fight early on, Ciryl Gane found himself facing extreme adversity in the 2nd round, as a big power shot from Tuivasa dropped him to the canvas. However, Gane rallied with a 3rd round stoppage, sending the French fans into a frenzy. When asked who he wanted next in his post-fight octagon interview with Michael Bisping, he kept his response short and sweet: “I want the belt, that’s all I want”.

In the aftermath, Francis Ngannou gave credit to his former foe’s performance regarding his ability to control the distance as well as mix in some heavy kicks to the body, which clearly paid dividends towards the end of the fight, but his final reaction was clear. During the post-fight press conference with ESPN, Ngannou stated; “Yes, he’s good, but I’m the champ. So really hard to be impressed. Great performance.”

It’s clear that the champ isn’t letting people forget his dominant victory over Gane back in January, where he surprised the world with his unknown wrestling abilities. After his win, Ngannou made it public that he was fighting with a torn MCL and a damaged ACL which could have been career-ending had he caused any further damage to his knees in their fight.

Considering his victory over Gane while dealing with a serious injury, it’s clear he does not lack any confidence when talking about a potential rematch.

Gane’s win over Tuivasa puts him back in the win column and retains his position as the #1 contender in the heavyweight division.

“The Predator’s” coach recently revealed what the timeframe is looking like for his return to the octagon, stating it will most likely be in early 2023. Ngannou is expected to face either Jon Jones or the winner of an interim title fight between Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic.

Following Ciryl Gane’s Saturday night victory, though unlikely, he could be next in line after Ngannou’s next defense giving him another chance at becoming the first ever French-born undisputed UFC champion. Many still believe that another win is necessary for “Bon Gamin” considering he is just coming off a loss against the current champ.

Would you like to see Ciryl Gane rematch Francis Ngannou?

Following UFC Paris, JDS Again Blasts “Dirty Fighter” Ciryl Gane

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos wasn’t impressed by Ciryl Gane’s tactics against Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris. Gane defeated Tuivasa via a third-round knockout after getting dropped in Round 2 of the fight. He finished Tuivasa…

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos wasn’t impressed by Ciryl Gane’s tactics against Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris. Gane defeated Tuivasa via a third-round knockout after getting dropped in Round 2 of the fight. He finished Tuivasa with a vicious flurry of strikes, with at least one of the blows arguably illegal. Gane defeated…

Continue Reading Following UFC Paris, JDS Again Blasts “Dirty Fighter” Ciryl Gane at MMA News.

Junior dos Santos says Ciryl Gane is a ‘dirty fighter’ for blatantly illegal hammer fist on Tai Tuivasa

Ciryl GaneCiryl Gane brought Tai Tuivasa’s streak to an end in impressive fashion at UFC Paris. Still, some people, including former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, believe the French star got away with a rather egregious illegal strike. In the final minute of the third round, Gane landed a beautiful right that rocked Tai Tuivasa. […]

Ciryl Gane

Ciryl Gane brought Tai Tuivasa’s streak to an end in impressive fashion at UFC Paris. Still, some people, including former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, believe the French star got away with a rather egregious illegal strike.

In the final minute of the third round, Gane landed a beautiful right that rocked Tai Tuivasa. Smelling blood in the water, Gane started to unload strikes. He landed three more shots, but the fourth one got the most attention. Gane delivered a vicious hammer fist to the back of Tuivasa’s head. As stated in the Unified Rules of MMA, strikes to the back of the head or neck are illegal. This prompted some fans to question why the fight wasn’t paused at that point, but fans were not the only ones calling out Gane for the “dirty” shot.

Former Ciryl Gane opponent, Junior dos Santos was quite upset with what Gane appeared to get away with and called out the fighter on Twitter.

“What a dirty fighter this Gane is,” dos Santos wrote on Twitter. “Again hitting the back of the head. And now what are those ‘fight experts’ will say about it?”

Ciryl Gane Was Accused of a Similarly Illegal Strike in 2020

At UFC 256, Junior dos Santos faced Ciryl Gane in what would be the final fight of his UFC career. On that night, Gane landed an elbow that suspiciously looked like a shot to the back of the head. The blow immediately dropped JDS and the referee immediately stepped in. Fans called out Ciryl Gane for what seemed like an obvious illegal strike, but nothing came of the backlash and Gane continued to climb the heavyweight ranks.

With that being the former heavyweight champion’s fourth straight loss, Junior dos Santos was handed his walking papers, something that he was understandably upset with after years of loyal service.

“I reacted with surprise, [and] I was a little bit impressed by the coldness of how they treated the case,” dos Santos told MMA Fighting. “I know it’s a business, [but] they just don’t care. The history we did in there and everything else, the dedication and how everything have always played out, was totally disregarded.”

JDS also revealed in the interview that the UFC didn’t even contact him directly to inform him of his release. He found out through Dan Lambert, the founder of American Top Team where ‘Cigano’ trains.

“The UFC didn’t even talk to me. For example, [UFC President] Dana White, I haven’t talked to him in years. Not to ask anything or know anything. They didn’t even talk to me. [UFC] texted Dan [Lambert] of American Top Team, and it got to me that their decision was to release me from my contract.”

Watch: ‘Bam Bam’ Brutally KO’d by Ciryl Gane in UFC Paris ‘Fight of the Night’

Tai 'Bam Bam' Tuivasa, Ciryl GaneTai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa suffered a knockout defeat to Ciryl Gane at UFC Paris. This past Saturday, the rising Australian prospect faced his toughest challenge in former UFC interim heavyweight champion, Gane, who was competing in his homeland in the promotion’s first event in France at Accor Arena. Stakes were high going into the matchup […]

Tai 'Bam Bam' Tuivasa, Ciryl Gane

Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa suffered a knockout defeat to Ciryl Gane at UFC Paris.

This past Saturday, the rising Australian prospect faced his toughest challenge in former UFC interim heavyweight champion, Gane, who was competing in his homeland in the promotion’s first event in France at Accor Arena. Stakes were high going into the matchup as each man looked to solidify his place in the mix of title contention.

‘Bam Bam’ was brutally knocked out by Ciryl Gane in UFC Paris ‘Fight of the Night’

The headlining bout between Gane and Tuivasa delivered on every mark. Tuivasa became the first fighter to score an impressive knockdown on Gane, who has only lost to the reigning heavyweight king Francis Ngannou. Gane did well to recover and fired right back with some massive kicks to the body that clearly hurt Tuivasa, who crumbled in pain but refused to give up.

As the exciting slugfest carried on, Gane adopted his regular more technical approach. He exhibited his touch and move style, peppering in the piercing jab on Tuivasa. The body shots started to slow down Tuivasa, and although he displayed his extreme toughness, a huge shot from Gane in the third round would mark the beginning of the end for “Bam Bam.”

Gane called out for a second title shot following the incredible win in his post-fight octagon interview. He heaped praises on the crowd in attendance in Paris, suggesting more UFC events, possibly including a title rematch with Ngannou, to be held in the country.

It’s unclear if the win would be enough for Gane to get another chance for the gold. He could be looking at a showdown with other top-ranked contenders, such as Curtis Blaydes, next.

You can watch the highlights from UFC Paris: “Bam Bam” Tuivasa vs. Gane main event below.

Gane knocked out Tuivasa with a flurry of follow-up punches in round 3 (4:23).

Ciryl Gane On The Crowd Noise: ‘I could Hear Everything From Them’

Ciryl GaneCiryl Gane was feeling the French crowd behind him and said he could hear everything they were chanting in real time. UFC Fight Night: France, was the first UFC event that was hosted in France since the MMA ban was lifted in the country. France resident Gane, had the weight of an entire country on […]

Ciryl Gane

Ciryl Gane was feeling the French crowd behind him and said he could hear everything they were chanting in real time.

UFC Fight Night: France, was the first UFC event that was hosted in France since the MMA ban was lifted in the country. France resident Gane, had the weight of an entire country on his back when he faced Tai Tuivasa this Saturday. The crowd was chanting his name, and singing their national anthem. You could feel the intensity of the crowd, through the TV.

Gane put on a striking clinic against Tuivasa, repeatedly hitting him with body strikes. Gane opened up on Tuivasa with combination after combination. Gane was knocked early in the second round, but he was able to come back and finish Tuivasa in the third round. He severely slowed him down with the body strikes, which opened up the ability to go high on kicks as well. Gane landed a devastating high kick, that only wobbled Tuivasa, but ultimately led to his demise.

Gane was feeling the intensity of the crowd and it helped him as he was fighting. He also saw the first event in France an “absolute success’, stating that he was honored to headline the first fight there.

“At first they were singing Cyril, Cyril, Cyril,” Gane answered. “It was very crazy. Then they were singing the national anthem, and it was just crazy. I could hear everything from the crowd.”

Gane also touched on how, the whole world saw that there is a fanbase now in France, after his fight with Tuivasa. It was a very exciting first event for the country, and the main event put on a show as well. Both fighters took big strikes that may have knocked out a lesser fighter.

Did you enjoy the first event in France?