Ciryl Gane: “No regrets” about going for leg lock against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270
Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane says he has “no regrets” about going for a leg lock against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270.
Gane and Ngannou battled it out in an extremely-competitive main event heavyweight title bout at UFC 270 last month. The fight was tied up 2-2 heading into the last round of the fight, so whoever took round five would become champion. In the final round, it looked like Gane was going to be able to win the fight as he had a superior position to Ngannou on the ground to start the fifth, but he then went for a leg lock and lost his position. Ngannou was then able to get on top of Gane, ride out the round, and cruise to a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards with 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 scores.
For Gane, though, while going for the leg lock and losing position might have ultimately cost him the title, he says he has no regrets at all about going for the move. According to “Bon Gamin,” who spoke to MMAFighting.com’s The MMA Hour this week, he felt confident enough in his Brazilian jiu-jitsu to try off the move, and he has no regrets about it not working. Remember, it was the same move he used to submit Don’Tale Mayes in his second UFC bout back in October 2019.
“No (regrets) because I was really sure (of the submission). You see, this technique for me, I can do that on everybody that I have in my gym. High-level wrestling, high-level BJJ, and I can do it. I’m really comfortable on this technique, so that’s why I decided to do that, because I know the position was really good for me to go on this technique. I was really good. I was sure to finish the fight, in my mind,” Gane said. “That’s why no regrets. Just I was a little bit tired, so that’s why I don’t do exactly the good thing, but no, that’s OK.”
Despite losing to Ngannou, Gane remains as the No. 1 contender in the UFC heavyweight division. It will be interesting to see who he gets matched up with next, with Stipe Miocic and Tai Tuivasa among the potential challengers.
Do you think Ciryl Gane made a mistake going for a leg lock against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270, or do you appreciate the fact he went for the finish in a close fight and has no regrets about his decision?
