Tag: Ciryl Gane

Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane Face-Off At UFC 270 Presser

Francis Ngannou, Ciryl GaneUFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and interim champ Ciryl Gane shared quite the face-off ahead of their matchup at UFC 270. Ngannou and Gane will fight in one of the most consequential heavyweight bouts in UFC history at UFC 270. The two former training partners will unify the heavyweight title as Ngannou makes his first […]

Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and interim champ Ciryl Gane shared quite the face-off ahead of their matchup at UFC 270.

Ngannou and Gane will fight in one of the most consequential heavyweight bouts in UFC history at UFC 270. The two former training partners will unify the heavyweight title as Ngannou makes his first title defense.

The two fighters also have some of the most elite striking in the UFC, with the matchup featuring a prototypical power vs. technical standup.

While there isn’t bad blood between the two fighters themselves, coaches have gotten involved in the mix mostly due to Ngannou’s tense relationship with former coach Fernand Lopez. The two have gone back and forth in a series of interviews and press obligations.

Fans filled the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA for the UFC 270 pre-fight press conference to get an early glimpse of the two gigantic heavyweights.

Watch Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane Face Off At The UFC 270 Press Conference

Ngannou earned the heavyweight title by getting revenge against Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 last year. After it was expected that he would face Jon Jones next, he and the UFC couldn’t come to terms and the promotion ended up holding an interim title fight.

Gane would get his chance after impressive wins over Alexander Volkov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Junior dos Santos. He would go on to demolish Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 for the interim belt.

The winner will more than likely face Jones next and etch their name into the UFC history books. Chances are the fight won’t go the full five-round distance, as both fighters have finished most of their wins.

Ngannou and Gane appear ready for the challenge this weekend as UFC 270 is just days away.

What were your thoughts on the UFC 270 pre-fight press conference?

Dana White Questions Francis Ngannou’s Focus Ahead Of UFC 270

Dana White, Francis NgannouUFC president Dana White is concerned with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s recent comments about boxing, ahead of his showdown with Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Ngannou will make his first heavyweight title defense against his former MMA Factory teammate Gane. It is arguably the most highly-anticipated heavyweight matchup in UFC history and features two […]

Dana White, Francis Ngannou

UFC president Dana White is concerned with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s recent comments about boxing, ahead of his showdown with Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

Ngannou will make his first heavyweight title defense against his former MMA Factory teammate Gane. It is arguably the most highly-anticipated heavyweight matchup in UFC history and features two of the most skilled athletes in the sport.

Despite the massive fight, various topics have come to the surface outside of the bout itself. Gane and his head coach have brought up the topic of sparring sessions, while Ngannou has alluded to a possible move to boxing to fight Tyson Fury.

During a recent interview on The Jim Rome Show, White questioned Ngannou’s motivation heading into UFC 270.

Dana White Isn’t Sure If Francis Ngannou Is Mentally Invested In UFC 270

“You’re talking about you don’t want to fight under your contract, you’re talking about – he gets a piece of pay-per-view, whatever we sell, like all the other champions do,” White said. “You’re worried about all these other things, ‘I want to box Tyson Fury, I want to do this, I want to do that.’ You’re the underdog on Saturday night. You’re not some huge 10 to one favorite, and you want to move on. Focus on (this): beat Ciryl Gane. Win this fight, then you can start talking about the possibility of other things.”

White and Ngannou haven’t seen eye to eye for quite some time, but things have become tense since he first earned the heavyweight title. He’s requested more money and negotiations with the UFC brass have remained stagnant ahead of UFC 270.

If Ngannou is able to put on an impressive performance against Gane, he would almost certainly get a new contract with the promotion. But, a defeat could make things unclear in negotiations, and the UFC may ultimately choose to move on.

What is your prediction for UFC 270?

Ciryl Gane: The Man Who Made Francis Ngannou Is On My Side

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane says it’s the presence of Fernand Lopez on his side that makes him confident heading into his unification showdown with former teammate Francis Ngannou.

Gane’s rise from unknown prospect to championship s…

Fernand Lopez & Ciryl Gane, Francis Ngannou

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane says it’s the presence of Fernand Lopez on his side that makes him confident heading into his unification showdown with former teammate Francis Ngannou.

Gane’s rise from unknown prospect to championship status has been as impressive as it’s been rapid. In the four years since making the transition from Muay Thai to MMA, “Bon Gamin” has made it to the sport’s premier promotion, extended his unblemished record to 10-0, defeated former world champions, and had UFC gold wrapped around his waist.

However, his next challenge will be his toughest to date. In the UFC 270 main event this weekend, Gane will lock horns with reigning titleholder Ngannou. With a battle of power versus a new technical approach to heavyweight fighting, the opening pay-per-view headliner of 2022 promises to be enthralling.

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Gane Explains Where His Confidence Derives From

One of the main storylines heading into the January 22 event is the previous history and connection the two heavyweight champs share. Prior to his move to Xtreme Couture in 2018, Ngannou was one of the top names out of Paris’ MMA Factory gym, where he trained under Coach Fernand Lopez.

But after a bitter split and a soured relationship, one that has become more public in the weeks and months leading up to UFC 270, the feud between Ngannou and Lopez has added an extra level of intrigue to the contest, as the 43-year-old looks to take down his former student with the help of his current pupil.

For Gane, this unique dynamic is what makes him so confident heading into his unification clash with “The Predator.” While many would expect his experience sparring with Ngannou to help the most, Gane told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole that it is the presence of Lopez on his side that has boosted his self-belief.

“We have improved a lot (since I sparred Ngannou). So, no, this is not what exactly makes me confident. This is more because I’ve got Fernand Lopez on my side,” said Gane. “This is a better thing to make me confident because he knows him, he make him, you understand? So this gives me more confidence than the sparring.”

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With the clash of styles, the heated feud between Ngannou and Lopez, and the champion’s ongoing contractual dispute and uncertain future, not many heavyweight contests have had as many compelling stories in the build-up as Gane vs. Ngannou. We’ll see if that makes for exciting action inside the Octagon come January 22.

Do you think having Fernand Lopez in his corner will help Ciryl Gane to defeat his former teammate Francis Ngannou at UFC 270?

Continue Reading Ciryl Gane: The Man Who Made Francis Ngannou Is On My Side at MMA News.

Ngannou Claims He Accidentally Knocked Gane Out While Sparring

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou claims he once knocked out upcoming opponent Ciryl Gane during a sparring session at Paris’ MMA Factory gym.

After returning from a four-week break last weekend with UFC Vegas 46, the world’s premier MMA pro…

Ciryl Gane, Francis Ngannou

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou claims he once knocked out upcoming opponent Ciryl Gane during a sparring session at Paris’ MMA Factory gym.

After returning from a four-week break last weekend with UFC Vegas 46, the world’s premier MMA promotion is set to open its pay-per-view account for 2022 this weekend in Anaheim, California.

Opening the year will be UFC 270, an event headlined by a blockbuster heavyweight title unification showdown with a backstory that is, according to Dana White, better than Vince McMahon could write.

Former teammates Ngannou and Gane are set to collide in a clash of power and a new breed of technical heavyweight fighting. With their history, the title of ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ at stake, and the champion’s uncertain future, the opening PPV headliner of the year is set to bring fireworks to the Octagon.

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Ngannou Flips The Script On Lopez’s KO Claim

One of the many intriguing narratives heading into January 22 has been the two heavyweight titleholders’ experience sparring with each other, and how that may impact the result inside the Honda Center.

Fans were given a glimpse of the pair’s sparring sessions in a leaked clip. While the brief video showed Gane making a good account of himself, a disgruntled Ngannou suggested it made the Frenchman look better than he is. Gane himself even admitted the footage certainly did him some favors.

But after the Cameroonian’s displeasure at the sparring session’s release, MMA Factory’s Fernand Lopez threatened to post footage of the interim champ dropping “The Predator.” At UFC 270 media day on Wednesday, Ngannou turned the tables on his former coach by claiming he once put Gane to sleep during sparring.

“Yes, I knocked him out,” Ngannou said. “(It was) with a high kick, a left high kick… There’s a lot of reasons why that footage didn’t come out.”

Ngannou went on to insist that accidentally knocking out a training partner was certainly not something he is proud of, given the need to protect teammates while sparring.

“Let me say this, that knockout, it wasn’t a voluntary knockout. It was in sparring, it was an accident. I didn’t intend to knock him out, I didn’t go there to knock him out,” added Ngannou. “So, personally, it’s not something that I will be proud of and walk ’round feeling tough because I knocked my sparring partner out… Usually, stuff like that happens in training, but it’s always an accident. We are committed to taking care of our partner.”

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In his fast rise to the top of the food chain in the UFC, Gane has comfortable dealt with some of the biggest and most powerful hitters in the UFC, including Jairzinho Rozenstruik and UFC KO record-holder Derrick Lewis.

But if Ngannou’s sparring claims are true, those backing a sixth-straight KO for “The Predator” will now be a whole lot more confident in their pick.

Do you think Francis Ngannou will add a 13th KO to his record this Saturday against Ciryl Gane?

Continue Reading Ngannou Claims He Accidentally Knocked Gane Out While Sparring at MMA News.

Dana White Doesn’t Feel Confident Saying Jon Jones Is Next For HW Title

UFC President Dana White does not yet feel confident in confirming whether or not former 205-pound king Jon Jones will fight for the heavyweight title next.

Jones, who is widely considered the leading contender for GOAT status in the UFC, hasn’t be…

Dana White, Jon Jones

UFC President Dana White does not yet feel confident in confirming whether or not former 205-pound king Jon Jones will fight for the heavyweight title next.

Jones, who is widely considered the leading contender for GOAT status in the UFC, hasn’t been in action since February 2020. After returning to the Octagon in 2018 and regaining the light heavyweight title, “Bones” defended the gold three times against Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Dominick Reyes.

After a tight decision victory over “The Devastator,” a result many believe should have gone the other way, Jones believed he’d exhausted all of his challengers at 205 pounds and had pretty much cleared out the division. With that in mind, he vacated the title and announced his intention to pursue championship glory at a new weight.

But his much-awaited heavyweight debut is yet to arrive. After a blockbuster showdown with champion Francis Ngannou fell through due to a public pay dispute with White and the UFC, Jones sat out the entirety of 2021.

In the meantime, fans have seen glimpses of the Albuquerque resident’s transformation through gym pictures and training footage he’s uploaded to Instagram.

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White: I Don’t Know What Jones Wants To Do Next

Despite his long layoff, Jones’ social media posts, and a recent stint training at Fight Ready with former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, suggest the 34-year-old is eager to make his comeback.

Given some previous interviews and a tweet that read, “Champion 2022,” many expect Jones to challenge either Ngannou or Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight belt later this year. “The Predator” and “Bon Gamin” are set to square off this weekend in an intriguing unification clash.

In an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Dana White suggested Jones will be watching this Saturday’s UFC 270 main event closely from home and expects him to make a statement of intent on social media following its culmination.

“He’s absolutely sitting back at home and watching, and seeing how this plays out,” White said. “I think as soon as this fight is over, either way, however, the fight ends, whoever wins will probably hear from him on social media. He might even hear from him during the fight, who knows?”

However, when asked if Jones is likely to be next for whoever emerges as the undisputed titleholder, White said he’s not yet confident enough to confirm that. In his mind, Jones’ future and next step is yet to be decided, and we could even still see the veteran return to his old stomping ground of light heavyweight.

“Yeah, I don’t feel confident saying that Jon Jones is next,” White added. “Not because I think he’s unreliable. It’s because I honestly don’t know what Jon Jones wants to do next. I think Jon’s gonna watch this fight and, you know, he’ll decide, maybe he doesn’t fight at heavyweight, maybe he goes back and tries to regain the light heavyweight championship. I honestly don’t know the answer to that question.”

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With the UFC’s opening pay-per-view main event of the year already boasting a host of intriguing storyline heading into it, the idea of Jones waiting in the wings for the victor is another facet to a compelling heavyweight title fight.

Would you like to see Jon Jones face the winner of this weekend’s UFC 270 main event later in the year?

Continue Reading Dana White Doesn’t Feel Confident Saying Jon Jones Is Next For HW Title at MMA News.