After plenty of build-up, expectations and storylines aplenty, the first UFC PPV event of the new year didn’t disappoint. Deiveson Figueiredo regained his flyweight title in a competitive chess match with Brandon Moreno before Francis Ngannou fought through pre-existing knee injuries to make the first defence of his heavyweight strap against former training partner Ciryl Gane. Continue reading
Tag: Ciryl Gane
UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane – Long-awaited heavyweight unification bout upon us
The heavyweight champion makes his first title defence this weekend against a familiar foe, with a well-documented backstory and storyline that has plenty invested. Will interim titlist Gane – who knows him intimately – prove spoiler? Or can the Cameroonian reign supreme? Continue reading
Francis Ngannou’s desire for boxing clause in future UFC deal an unwelcome distraction
Ahead of his first title defence against former training partner and interim titlist Ciryl Gane on January 22, UFC’s heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has stressed a need for there to be provisions allowing him to box professionally, if and when he agrees terms on a new deal with the promotion. While his wishes have been well-documented, this added noise helps no-one. Continue reading
Daukaus-Lewis a classic matchup between rising contender and dangerous veteran
Although he fell way short of his own sky-high expectations against Ciryl Gane for interim gold in August, Derrick Lewis wants to end 2021 by righting that wrong against soaring heavyweight contender Chris Daukaus set for his first main event this weekend. Continue reading
No rush: UFC heavyweight prospect Tom Aspinall happy for gradual growth
After earning fast finishes against Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, former champion Andrei Arlovski and most recently Sergey Spivak in his first four UFC appearances since debuting last July, there’s a clamour from many to witness Britain’s Tom Aspinall face much tougher opposition in a division lacking true prospects. Currently ranked #11, he doesn’t see the need to rush. Continue reading
UFC 265: Gane outclasses Lewis with R3 TKO, becomes new interim HW champion
Ciryl Gane (#3) improved to 10-0 after another impressive win – this time in enemy territory from Houston’s Toyota Center – blasting Derrick Lewis (#2) with a third-round TKO finish to seize the UFC’s interim heavyweight title. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for a determined bantamweight contender in Jose Aldo as well as welterweight title hopeful Vicente Luque.
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UFC 265: Derrick Lewis, Ciryl Gane preview their interim heavyweight title fight
Ahead of their interim heavyweight title fight headliner at this weekend’s UFC 265 PPV, Derrick Lewis (#2) and Ciryl Gane (#3) have previewed an intriguing matchup that could either be a boring 25-minute affair or live up to the billing: one of the pair landing a devastating knockout.
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UFC Vegas 30: Composed Ciryl Gane passes Alexander Volkov test, remains unbeaten
After five tests of increasing difficulty, Ciryl Gane knew the Volkov challenge was a necessary litmus test to see whether he was more than the UFC’s rapidly-growing hype machine. During an entertaining striking battle, the Frenchman passed with flying colours and won all five rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, before eyeing a title shot vs. Francis Ngannou. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 30: Ciryl Gane, Alexander Volkov welcome a pivotal main event task
In a division that has been deemed imbalanced for a while, this matchup pits two of the top five heavyweights against one another – something they both expect will help produce the best version of themselves with the lure of a potential title shot dangling for Saturday night’s winner.
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Come Saturday night, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai have plenty to prove

Two ranked heavyweights collide in their second successive main event matchup this weekend, after thorough defeats last time out. Will Rozenstruik finally push the pace and show some urgency, or can Sakai stake a genuine claim for a top-five opponent next with an impressive return to winning ways? Continue reading
UFC Vegas 20: Gane dominates Rozenstruik in his first main event, remains undefeated
French heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane (#7) extended his unbeaten streak to 8-0 with a dominant decision win over #4 ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik, earning some welcome Octagon time in his first main event matchup, before revealing he’s willing to be the backup for UFC 260’s PPV event – Francis Ngannou rematches defending champion Stipe Miocic this time next month. Continue reading
UFC 256: Figueiredo retains title with majority draw, after Charles Oliveira’s emphatic win
Deiveson Figueiredo retained his flyweight title with a majority draw after an unforgettable five-round main event against relentless challenger Brandon Moreno (#1), after there were statement victories for lightweight contender Charles Oliveira and middleweight prospect Kevin Holland – who has now become the third modern UFC fighter with five wins in a calendar year. Continue reading