Can Ciryl Gane get back on track at UFC Paris?
This weekend, Ciryl Gane will return to Paris, France for the second time looking to rebound from his second title shot loss. He takes on the tough and determined Sergey Spivac who is looking for his in to the top of the heavyweight division. Both fighters look to make a big impression at UFC Paris in their constant climb to the title.
Ciryl Gane: UFC Paris Electricity
The last time Ciryl Gane fought in Paris, he had an electrifying performance against fan-favorite Tai Tuivasa. Reestablishing that same energy this time around will be a tall task but if anyone is up to the challenge, it’s Ciryl Gane.
Gane’s rise through the UFC’s heavyweight division was meteoric. He tallied up seven straight wins in his run up to the title shot.
His last four wins were the most impressive as Gane managed to beat Junior Dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruick, Alexander Volkov and Derrick Lewis. He was then granted a title shot against Francis N’Gannou.
https://youtu.be/dvg8shTzdaE?si=LmJh8VhTLrinRSHr
The drama for Gane’s first title fight was palpable. The two former teammates were not on good terms as N’Gannou seemingly had a problem with how things shook out with he and his coach, Fernand Lopez, at the MMA Factory. N’Gannou allegedly stiffed the coach on pay and the duo were friends no longer.
In that fight, Ciryl Gane had moments of success as he managed to out point N’Gannou in the early goings of the fight. Then N’Gannou managed to find his footing, wrestle, and secure the title defense, handing Gane his first career MMA loss.
Eight months later, Gane would return as the UFC debuted in Paris where Gane would headline. He took on Tai Tuivasa and, despite an early knockdown, managed to put away the Aussie native in the first round.
Opportunity came knocking again for Ciryl Gane as Jon Jones finally made the move to heavyweight. With Francis N’Gannou vacating the title and leaving for PFL, Gane and Jones fought for the vacant title. Jones bundled Gane over and won via first round submission.
Now he looks to get back in the win column and avoid two straight losses for the first time in his career. With the UFC Paris card being in his home country, many are expecting him to come back in violent fashion. But Spivac is a tough wrestler and a test to see if Gane can get over the wrestling jitters and put on a vintage performance we’ve all come to love him for.