Tag: Ciryl Gane

UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane isn’t worried about Francis Ngannou’s game-changing power ahead of their unification bout.

Gane earned the interim heavyweight title over Derrick Lewis earlier this year at UFC 265, in a dominant performance that led to a TKO finish. He is undefeated in his still relatively young MMA career.

Ngannou earned the heavyweight belt over Stipe Miocic by a vicious knockout at UFC 260. While Gane knows the challenges that Ngannou presents, he isn’t scared about getting hit with a big strike on the feet.

“I think Francis did a lot these last years, and he proved he improved and he’s more intelligent,” Gane said in an interview with BT Sport. “And that’s great. He’s well-rounded now. And I think it’s gonna be more like that. Because he (knows) I can manage the power. I think he knows I can manage the power.”

Ciryl Gane And Francis Ngannou Trained Together At MMA Factory

Gane and Ngannou trained together briefly at MMA Factory in France before Ngannou had an alleged falling out with management and moved stateside. Ngannou now trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, NV where he most recently trained with Glory kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven.

Gane has picked up plenty of eye-opening wins since signing with the UFC in 2019. After winning his UFC debut over Raphael Pessoa, he’s earned wins over the likes of top contenders Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Junior dos Santos and Alexander Volkov.

Gane’s kickboxing, in particular, has impressed, as he showcased in his finish over Lewis for the interim title.

Gane vs. Ngannou is expected to be a back-and-forth war at UFC 270 and could be a perfect way for the UFC to kick-off 2022. While there appears to be some mutual respect between the two heavyweights, former teammates will become sworn enemies inside the Octagon.

What is your prediction for Ciryl Gane vs. Francis Ngannou?

Continue Reading Ciryl Gane: Francis Ngannou Knows I Can Manage His Power at MMA News.

Former referee and current broadcaster John McCarthy believes UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou could depart the promotion if he’s beaten by interim titleholder Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

Ngannou has been fighting on MMA’s biggest stage since 2015. After failing to capture gold in his first title shot, “The Predator” fought his way back to the top with a destructive tear through Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. In a rematch with Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 earlier this year, Ngannou secured his place on the throne with another brutal knockout.

Meanwhile, another name to come out of Paris’ renowned MMA Factory gym made his way up the heavyweight ladder. Since a transition to MMA from Muay Thai in 2018, Gane has made it to the UFC, defeated the likes of dos Santos, Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov, main evented three cards, and won the interim title.

The two former teammates are now set to collide in a blockbuster unification bout in the main event of UFC 270 on January 22.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVYuAm1h47d/

McCarthy Says All Isn’t Well between Ngannou & The UFC

Despite currently occupying the top step in the heavyweight division, Ngannou’s reign hasn’t been without frustration. Despite only winning the belt in March, an interim strap was created just five months later. The decision to do so came despite the champ’s willingness to defend his newly won title a month later in September. That led to UFC President Dana White clashing with Ngannou’s manager.

That certainly created some friction between Ngannou and the UFC, with “The Predator” even suggesting the promotion sought to discredit and sabotage him. To go along with that, the Cameroonian powerhouse has also expressed concern over his contract.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, John McCarthy discussed Ngannou’s gripes with the Dana White-led organization. Given the champ’s fractured relationship with the UFC, the 59-year-old wouldn’t be surprised to see him choose to leave if he fails to hold onto his title in January.

“If we’re gonna take a look and say, realistically, what is someone that could jump right (to another promotion), I’m telling you right now – Francis Ngannou. That’s the guy that can make the jump. That’s the guy that could leave his promotion. If he does not beat Ciryl Gane, I see him leaving the UFC and going elsewhere because he’s not happy with the way he’s been treated. I do think that that could be a possibility if you see Ciryl Gane taking that belt away from him.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Having built a reputation as one of the biggest names in the sport and one of the most renowned knockout artists in the world, it would certainly be a surprise to see “The Predator” part ways with MMA’s premier promotion.

However, the champ’s disdain for the way he’s been treated is clear, and he may well choose to pursue greener pastures if “Bon Gamin” takes his gold next year.

Do you agree with John McCarthy? Could you see Francis Ngannou leaving the UFC if Ciryl Gane defeats him at UFC 270?

Continue Reading Quote: Francis Ngannou Could Leave The UFC If He Loses To Ciryl Gane at MMA News.

Former referee and current broadcaster John McCarthy believes UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou could depart the promotion if he’s beaten by interim titleholder Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

Ngannou has been fighting on MMA’s biggest stage since 2015. After failing to capture gold in his first title shot, “The Predator” fought his way back to the top with a destructive tear through Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. In a rematch with Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 earlier this year, Ngannou secured his place on the throne with another brutal knockout.

Meanwhile, another name to come out of Paris’ renowned MMA Factory gym made his way up the heavyweight ladder. Since a transition to MMA from Muay Thai in 2018, Gane has made it to the UFC, defeated the likes of dos Santos, Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov, main evented three cards, and won the interim title.

The two former teammates are now set to collide in a blockbuster unification bout in the main event of UFC 270 on January 22.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVYuAm1h47d/

McCarthy Says All Isn’t Well between Ngannou & The UFC

Despite currently occupying the top step in the heavyweight division, Ngannou’s reign hasn’t been without frustration. Despite only winning the belt in March, an interim strap was created just five months later. The decision to do so came despite the champ’s willingness to defend his newly won title a month later in September. That led to UFC President Dana White clashing with Ngannou’s manager.

That certainly created some friction between Ngannou and the UFC, with “The Predator” even suggesting the promotion sought to discredit and sabotage him. To go along with that, the Cameroonian powerhouse has also expressed concern over his contract.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast, John McCarthy discussed Ngannou’s gripes with the Dana White-led organization. Given the champ’s fractured relationship with the UFC, the 59-year-old wouldn’t be surprised to see him choose to leave if he fails to hold onto his title in January.

“If we’re gonna take a look and say, realistically, what is someone that could jump right (to another promotion), I’m telling you right now – Francis Ngannou. That’s the guy that can make the jump. That’s the guy that could leave his promotion. If he does not beat Ciryl Gane, I see him leaving the UFC and going elsewhere because he’s not happy with the way he’s been treated. I do think that that could be a possibility if you see Ciryl Gane taking that belt away from him.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Having built a reputation as one of the biggest names in the sport and one of the most renowned knockout artists in the world, it would certainly be a surprise to see “The Predator” part ways with MMA’s premier promotion.

However, the champ’s disdain for the way he’s been treated is clear, and he may well choose to pursue greener pastures if “Bon Gamin” takes his gold next year.

Do you agree with John McCarthy? Could you see Francis Ngannou leaving the UFC if Ciryl Gane defeats him at UFC 270?

Continue Reading Quote: Francis Ngannou Could Leave The UFC If He Loses To Ciryl Gane at MMA News.

Ciryl Gane might be trying to get into the head of his opponent Francis Nagnnou before their fight.

Ciryl Gane is currently holding the UFC heavyweight interim belt. That means he has a one-way ticket to a championship bout with Francis Ngannou. The two will meet up in January to settle the debate about who is the best heavyweight in the world, but until then, things might stay a little awkward between the two.

While backstage at UFC 268 in New York, the pair had a run-in with each other. Video caught Ngannou walking past Gane along with his former coach while looking straight ahead and completely ignoring them.

The video went viral and many didn’t understand why he had acted that way. Ngannou has since explained that it was not Gane he was “snubbing” but his ex-coach Fernand Lopez who was standing beside Gane.

Damn you guys see Francis Ngannou shade Ciryl Gane ?#UFC268 pic.twitter.com/DBibtxbnh3

— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) November 7, 2021

Gane and his friends have decided to mock Ngannou in their own version of this strange encounter. The video was posted on the Instagram page of Maff Derulo, a friend of Gane. You can have a look below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWqB07eAdWB/

Gane has made a splash in his UFC career so far. He came to the organization back in 2019 and immediately put the heavyweight division on notice. He has won seven in a row, culminated by his interim title win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. He is currently undefeated and has opened up as a favorite over his former training partner Ngannou.

Gane and Ngannou are former teammates. They trained together back in Paris at the MMA Factory gym. There has been some bad blood between the two as of late when Gane’s coach accused Ngannou of trying to sabotage Gane’s UFC career. Both will be looking to take the other out when they finally meet inside the Octagon on Jan. 22 at UFC 270.

Who do you think will win at UFC 270, Francis Ngannou or Ciryl Gane?

Continue Reading Ciryl Gane Hilariously Recreates Awkward Backstage Moment With Ngannou at MMA News.