Ciryl Gane secured a split decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310, marking his second consecutive win since his title fight loss to Jon Jones. However, the Frenchman expressed dissatisfaction with his performance due to an apparent injury sustained early in the bout.
In the first round, Gane injured multiple toes on his left foot during his initial teep kick. This inssue significantly impacted his fighting style, limiting his mobility and effectiveness in both striking and grappling exchanges. He elaborated on this during the post-fight press conference.
“My first teep. You see, this changes a lot of my style because I love to be on my feet and be fast, in and out, land my jab. So I was really focused on it.”
Ciryl Gane shows an X-ray of his foot injury after the Alexander Volkov fight 😳
“It wasn't just my toe, but also both metatarsals that gave way at the start of the first round. Needless to say, there was no foot left, but we didn't give up and fought with them.”
The toe injury compelled Gane to alter his strategy, opting to grapple more with Volkov. However, the injury hindered his ability to push off his foot, reducing the effectiveness of his grappling techniques.
“I was frustrated about my fight because of this. I was frustrated because I started my training in July for this fight, and you started your fight like this. Like the first second you land.”
Looking ahead, Gane expressed a desire to return to action promptly but acknowledged the necessity of allowing his toes to heal fully before resuming training.
The victory over Volkov was also not without controversy.
The split decision was met with boos from the crowd, and even UFC CEO Dana White believed Volkov deserved the win. Gane himself appeared uncertain of the outcome, as he began to exit the Octagon in disappointment immediately after the result was announced.
This fight was a rematch of their 2021 encounter, which Gane won via unanimous decision. Since then, both fighters have experienced different trajectories, with “Bon Gamin” competing for UFC gold three times and “Drago” steadily climbing the rankings.
Gane’s recent performances, including this contentious win, have sparked discussions among fans and analysts about his standing in the heavyweight division and potential future matchups.
Ciryl Gane made it 2-0 against Alexander Volkov, but not without plenty of controversy coming out of the split decision ruling at UFC 310.
Gane was tested early, as Volkov scored a takedown within the opening minute. Though it took a little bit of time, the Frenchman was able to work his way back up to his feet and even managed to score his own takedown during the frame. “Drago” looked to isolate an arm while on the ground, and the former interim champion tried to respond with a leg lock attempt. The Russian spun out of it and the fight returned to the feet.
In the closing seconds of the round, Gane seemed to trouble Volkov with a tight guillotine attempt, but time expired.
Volkov rocked Gane with a spinning backfist and followed it up with a knee to the body and a series of shots. The MMA Factory standout recovered and battled back, stumbling his opponent at one point, but the Russian troubled him late in the round with a choke.
As the fight returned to the ground in the third, Gane looked to lock up a kimura for a few minutes but couldn’t get it. Volkov, who threw punches to the body the whole time, worked his way out and looked to flatten out the Frenchman. “Drago” cradled “Bon Gamin” and rode the closing seconds of the fight on top.
Two judges gave the fight to Gane 29-28, with round one ultimately being where the split occurred. The Paris native and his team, weirdly enough, were leaving the Octagon and had to be pulled back into it for the post-fight interview.
Ciryl Gane Wins Controversial Decision In Rematch With Alexander Volkov At UFC 310
I'm lost for words… They literally just robbed Volkov. Gane did NOT win that fight at all 😤 this is getting beyond a joke now .. #UFC310pic.twitter.com/Xghe1woxTX
Gane was 3-2 since the first fight with Volkov, including an interim title win over Derrick Lewis and losses in title shots against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s result snapped a four-fight win streak Volkov entered UFC 310 bout with. His sole defeat in the time since the initial Gane fight came against current interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
After capturing the gold in July 2023 in a barnburner with Brandon Moreno, “The Cannibal” is next tasked with stalling promotional newcomer Kai Asakura’s ambitions of an immediate ascent to the 125-pound mountaintop.
The stakes will also be high in the co-main event, which will see top welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov look to defend his status as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad’s gold by blemishing the perfect record of fellow undefeated rising star Ian Garry.
Elsewhere on the UFC 310 card, ex-interim heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane runs it back with in-form Russian Alexander Volkov, light heavyweight veterans Dominick Reyes and Anthony Smith collide, and an important clash at 145 pounds goes down between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling.
Ahead of the event, 27 of the 28 fighters successfully made weight, with Bryan Battle’s four-pound miss of the welterweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale. Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-ins!
Ciryl Gane has emerged as a leading figure in French MMA, a significant achievement given that the sport was previously banned in his home country.
Gane is set to face Alexander Volkov in a rematch this Saturday at UFC 310, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This bout represents a pivotal moment for Gane as he looks to solidify his standing in the heavyweight division.
“Bon Gamin” began his MMA career with a stellar 10-1 record, becoming interim UFC heavyweight champion before challenging Francis Ngannou for undisputed status at UFC 270, where he suffered a decision loss. His second title shot came at UFC 285, where he was submitted by Jon Jones in the opening round. Despite these setbacks, Gane remains a top contender in the division.
In a recent vlog by Red Corner MMA ahead of his return, Gane revealed that his journey into combat sports was inspired by boxing superstar Anthony Joshua.
“When I started doing Muay Thai, I remember I did exactly the same [as] Anthony Joshua,” he shared. “Like, ‘Damn, this guy is so f***ing good! I want to be like him!’ I remember saying… ‘Okay, let me do some push-ups like this! I want to be like him!’ It was a motivation, and everybody needs that, to have a target.”
Interestingly, Joshua recently suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, and his next fight remains unconfirmed. As Gane prepares for his next challenge, his story highlights how inspiration from sports icons can fuel the rise of new stars in other disciplines.
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja, who is tasked with getting the better of Octagon debutant and former Rizin kingpin Kai Asakura if he’s to record a third successful title defense.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of former two-time light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes, ex-bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, middleweight great Chris Weidman, and the always entertaining Nate Landwehr.
Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the top UFC 310 fights here.
UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 310 (as of 12/6), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Alexandre Pantoja (-265) vs. Kai Asakura (+215)
Shavkat Rakhmonov (-375) vs. Ian Garry (+295)
Ciryl Gane (-360) vs. Alexander Volkov (+285)
Bryce Mitchell (-850) vs. Kron Gracie (+575)
Nate Landwehr (-130) vs. Dooho Choi (+110)
Preliminary Card:
Anthony Smith (+280) vs. Dominick Reyes (-355)
Vicente Luque (+130) vs. Themba Gorimbo (-155)
Movsar Evloev (-238) vs. Aljamain Sterling (+195)
Randy Brown (+130) vs. Bryan Battle (-218)
Early Preliminary Card:
Chris Weidman (-115) vs. Eryk Anders (-105)
Cody Durden (+130) vs. Joshua Van (-155)
Michael Chiesa (-112) vs. Max Griffin (-108)
Clay Guida (+700) vs. Chase Hooper (-1100)
Kennedy Nzechukwu (-550) vs. Łukasz Brzeski (+410)
We’re deep into UFC 310 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on Dec. 7 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the UFC 310 headliners will be a crucial five-round contest at 170 pounds, with Shavkat Rakhmonov looking to defend his top contender status opposite a fellow undefeated rising star in Ian Garry.
Also on pay-per-view will be former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, who makes the walk for the first time in over 14 months to run it back with in-form Russian veteran Alexander Volkov. That’s in addition to featherweight grappling specialist Bryce Mitchell, who looks to bounce back from his brutal knockout loss to Josh Emmett last December by defeating the returning Kron Gracie.
The UFC 310 main card will open with the always entertaining Nate Landwehr, who will be back in the cage nine months on from a KO triumph over Jamall Emmers. To return to a win streak, “The Train” must prevent “Korean Superboy” Dooho Choi from accomplishing the same feat after the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing member recorded a first victory in eight years this past July.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the UFC 310 pre-fight press conference. The latest edition saw Pantoja, Asakura, Rakhmonov, Garry, Gane and Volkov with mic in hand.
The main event will see flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja defend his title for the third time since capturing it at the expense of Brandon Moreno 16 months ago. To continue his reign, “The Cannibal” is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of incoming ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.
Co-headlining will be top welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, who will look to maintain his status as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad by defeating a fellow undefeated name at 170 pounds in Ian Garry.
Elsewhere on the card, top heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov run it back, Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling look to stake their claim for a featherweight title shot, and light heavyweight veterans Dominick Reyes and Anthony Smith collide.
UFC 310: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 310 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Pranav Pandey, and Andrew Starc have provided their picks for the five most important matchups set for the card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through nine cards.
Thomas Albano (34-10)
Ryan Jarrell (29-15)
Kyle Dimond (26-18)
Pranav Pandey (17-8)
Andrew Starc (13-11)
Aakrit Sharma (12-8)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 310.
Bantamweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I think Sterling has a pretty good counter-wrestling game, even if he hasn’t dealt with this particular style before. His striking should make it hard for Evloev to time takedowns because Sterling doesn’t overcommit. Neither are known for landing damage, and though I don’t expect Sterling to cause him problems on the feet like Arnold Allen did, his output is going to be big in this fight because it might be the only thing that separates them.
The former bantamweight champion shouldn’t have an issue getting up to his feet over and over again either due to his training with Merab Dvalishvili. I’ve not seen anything from Evloev that makes me think he will make the most of the grappling exchanges that he does initiate, so I can see Sterling winning a fight that probably won’t do amazing things for both men’s public perception. (Prediction: Aljamain Sterling)
Ryan Jarrell: This is such an intriguing matchup between an undefeated fighter and a former champion. Evloev has the potential to be a future champion himself, and a win over Sterling would get him extremely close to a title shot. After seeing the Russian beat the likes of Diego Lopes and Allen, I feel confident he will find a way to get past Sterling as well. I wish this was a five-round fight, and we may be left with more questions that aren’t answered when this clash ends. But I see Evloev winning a decision over a very game Sterling. (Prediction: Movsar Evloev)
Thomas Albano: Sterling was given a test in his featherweight debut at UFC 300, and he passed it with flying colors by securing a solid decision win over Calvin Kattar. But now, he gets a jump up in competition against an undefeated rising star who finds himself a fight or two away from securing a title shot at 145 pounds in Evloev. Though he’s only fought at about a once-a-year pace the last few years, Evloev has fended off tests in his most recent fights, from a short-notice and hungry Diego Lopes who troubled him in their fight to another contending name in the division in Allen.
I lean with Evloev either way that this fight plays out. Since we’ve got two great wrestlers here, you could ultimately see them start to have a striking battle during this fight – in which case, I feel Evloev has the better repertoire. If this fight goes to the ground, I think the Russian will be able to hold his own despite Sterling’s experience. (Prediction: Movsar Evloev)
Pranav Pandey: Grappling enthusiasts, get ready! This is a clash that showcases the best of ground combat in the featherweight division. While Evloev is widely regarded as the favorite in this bout, I believe it’s a disservice to count out “Funk Master.” If the former bantamweight champion can keep the action standing, he’ll undoubtedly boost his chances against the undefeated Russian, who has yet to finish an opponent in his eight UFC appearances. Even if Evloev does manage to take the fight to the canvas, Sterling’s experience and resilience should not be underestimated. The seasoned veteran has proven time and again that he can escape submission threats and work his way through adversity. (Prediction: Aljamain Sterling)
Andrew Starc: This is an intriguing battle between two strong grapplers. The undefeated Evloev is coming off a decision win over Allen in January, while Sterling most recently got it done on the cards against Calvin Kattar in April. I think this will be a close encounter, but Evloev will show his superior wrestling in this matchup to get a decision. (Prediction: Movsar Evloev)
Consensus: 3-2 Movsar Evloev
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: It really doesn’t feel that long ago that this would have been a title eliminator. Time flies I suppose. I’m picking Reyes here, and it very much might be a case of what have you done for me lately. It’s probably going to be a striking match, and though I think Smith is probably more powerful, I think Reyes is the better technician. So if he can avoid getting into a brawl, he should win a lot of the exchanges. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Ryan Jarrell: Reyes made a huge statement in his most recent win over Dustin Jacoby. The 34-year-old picked up his first win since he beat Chris Weidman in 2019, which is so crazy to think about. But in beating “The Hanyak,” he fully cemented himself in the mix again at 205 pounds. Smith, meanwhile, is a very different and much older fighter than the “Lionheart” we saw even a couple of short years ago. I don’t expect Smith to be able to have an answer for the striking of Reyes. Ultimately, “The Devastator” will clip his fellow former title challenger and find a TKO finish. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Thomas Albano: It breaks my heart to see the two of these guys fighting in the conditions of their careers that they’re in right now. Reyes was once a rising star in the light heavyweight division who found himself one win away from the light heavyweight championship on more than one occasion. Smith, meanwhile, had a career surge at the same time Reyes was rising up, coming up short in a fight against Jon Jones. Starting from his own loss to Jones, Reyes dropped four straight between 2020 and 2022, finally breaking that skid (and inactivity) with a two-minute knockout of Jacoby in June. Smith, on the other hand, has been on a rollercoaster since that loss to Jones. He’s lost four of his last six – granted that came against competition like recent title challenger Khalil Rountree and anticipated next challenger Magomed Ankalaev.
This is a fight where, if I’m a betting man, I’m honestly staying away, with not as much confidence in this pick compared to the other fights on this card. I have questions about both men’s chins. That said, I can see Reyes using leg kicks, which has troubled Smith before, to his advantage and setting up for a finish. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Pranav Pandey: With all due respect, both fighters seem to have passed their primes, with Smith in particular having spent a long time in the game. That being said, it would be a mistake to write him off entirely. Despite the wear and tear of his career, “Lionheart” has continually proven that he truly lives up to his moniker. I have no personal animosity toward “The Devastator,” but I do have reservations about his ability to absorb damage, especially considering his recent performances. Additionally, he lacks experience in the Octagon compared to Smith. With that in mind, I foresee this bout swinging in “Lionheart’s” favor. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)
Andrew Starc: It was heartening to see Reyes snap his losing streak by knocking out Jacoby in June, and while his chin may be very suspect now, I think he matches up well against Smith. “Lionheart’s” record has been very patchy over the last few years, and I don’t think he has the KO power to trouble Reyes. I’m predicting a finish for “The Devastator” here. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus: 4-1 Dominick Reyes
Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Image: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/UFC
Kyle Dimond: Volkov has looked great as of late, but in his first fight with Ciryl Gane, it really seemed like he had no answers for “Bon Gamin.” The Russian has shown lately what makes him so good but he’s done so against fairly stationary opponents, and Gane is anything but that. I’d like to see “Drago” really try and put a pace on Gane to make him work, but I just think the Frenchman’s movement is going to be too much and he’s going to potshot away at Volkov before getting his hand raised. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)
Ryan Jarrell: These two giants first met in 2021 and Gane won by decision rather handily. Since that main event fight at the UFC Apex, the Frenchman has won three out of his last five fights. Keep in mind those two losses were to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. I don’t think we will see a very different fight this time around either. Gane is a master on the feet, and unless you are the absolute best in the world, he will more than likely outpoint you. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)
Thomas Albano: Gane cruised to a one-sided decision win when these two faced off for the first time over three years ago. Since then, Volkov has given himself a bit of a renaissance of sorts, winning five of his six fights since (his sole loss coming against Tom Aspinall). Gane, meanwhile, will be competing in his first fight in over a year, having not fought since his September 2023 finish of Serghei Spivac. Despite the Russian’s resurgence, I don’t see how this fight plays out too different from their first. Volkov may win a round, but I still see the Frenchman as the quicker, more athletic, more well-rounded fighter. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)
Pranav Pandey: Frankly, this rematch fails to stir much enthusiasm. After witnessing their first encounter back in June 2021, it’s clear that Gane and Volkov are closely matched, both capable of exchanging heavy strikes with precision. If their striking doesn’t yield immediate results, don’t be surprised if either fighter looks to implement takedowns. I think, “Bon Gamin” possesses a more polished skill set compared to the Russian, who enters the rematch riding a wave of momentum of four straight wins. However, that momentum may not be enough to help him even the score with Gane. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)
Andrew Starc: Gane seemed to comfortably coast to victory when he met Volkov in 2021, but the Russian has since had a resurgence. He’s on a four-fight win streak, having beaten Sergei Pavlovich in June, while Gane hasn’t fought in over a year since he beat Spivac via TKO. While the Frenchman’s inactivity may work against him in this matchup, I still think he’ll be too quick and evasive for Volkov and get a decision win here. (Prediction: Ciryl Gane)
Consensus: 5-0 Ciryl Gane
Welterweight: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: What happens in training stays in training and, hey, it’s not a real fight… but, Rakhmonov said that he submitted Garry at Kill Cliff FC for a reason. The Irishman has clearly been working on his jiu-jitsu since then. I mean he’s literally got Charles Oliveira in his corner, but I think that it still might be his Achilles heel in this fight. He can do a great job of chipping away at “Nomad” and staying out of the way, but doing that for five rounds will be so tough, and Rakhmonov doesn’t get discouraged. Adesanya vs. Du Plessis style, I think once the fight hits the later rounds, Rakhmonov will be able to secure an opportunistic submission. (Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov)
Ryan Jarrell: This is the fight I am most excited to see on the whole card. Garry is a very polarizing guy to say the least. He has proven to be one of the best in the division, but beating the boogeyman of the weight class might be where he finally falls short. I love the fact that the UFC made this a five-round co-main event because three frames would not be enough for what should be Fight of the Night.
In the end, I expect Rakhmonov to have the bigger moments and utilize his grappling to secure rounds when things get a little too chaotic. Give me the Kazakh standout to win by decision and finally get the title shot he deserves. (Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov)
Thomas Albano: I feel for Rakhmonov here – going from main eventing this card, one win away from securing the UFC welterweight title, to co-main eventing and now needing to fend off another undefeated contender to just keep that shot intact. For Garry, meanwhile, this is a short-notice opportunity that he rightfully needed to take full advantage of. Having said that, this might be a case of too much, too soon for the Irish rising star.
I feel Rakhmonov will have a little extra fire under him after seeing the title shot slip out of his grasp, needing a win to reclaim it. And while it might be an unpopular opinion, I feel Garry’s three most recent wins against Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, and Michael “Venom” Page were missing something. Ultimately, “Nomad’s” key to success is going to be to get inside and grab a hold of Garry, dictating the fight from the clinch and on the ground. The Irishman, meanwhile, is going to want to use his reach and fight from range, keeping away from Rakhmonov and landing from a distance. I’ll lean toward the former happening, even if Garry will make it a tougher, grindier fight for the Kazakh fighter. (Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov)
Pranav Pandey: In my view, this is a remarkably balanced matchup, one that promises fireworks for the fans. The odds may not fully capture the true potential of this fight, as both fighters bring a wealth of skill. What makes this encounter even more intriguing is their shared history. Having trained together in the past, Rakhmonov and Garry are intimately familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. One thing is certain — both fighters are certainly vulnerable to strikes, yet each possesses an impressive ability to absorb them and keep pushing forward. Their fighting styles are distinct and unique in their own right. While “Nomad” boasts grappling skills that are truly elite, Garry counters with takedown defense that’s nothing short of relentless. On the feet, “The Future” is known for his sharp, precise striking, but Rakhmonov’s movement and fluidity allow him to navigate the distance with grace.
With both Rakhmonov and Garry putting their undefeated records on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher, especially with title implications attached. I believe “Nomad” will emerge victorious, maintaining his perfect finish rate, but it’s unlikely to come easily. (Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov)
Andrew Starc: I think this one will come down to Garry’s ability to stave off takedowns from Rakhmonov. The Irishman will likely have the edge on the feet, and while Rakhmonov is known for his submissions, he also has a number of KOs on his resume. Over five rounds, I think it’s unlikely “The Future” will be able to hurt the durable Rakhmonov and curtail his relentless pressure. I think the Kazakh will get a submission here. (Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov)
Consensus: 5-0 Shavkat Rakhmonov
UFC Flyweight Title: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Everything about this fight pushes me toward Pantoja but I am a combat sports romantic at my core. If you were going to pick a fighter to beat Asakura on his debut, you’d want someone who is excellent on the ground and is a nightmare to get out of there. However, the Brazilian has been known to get a little reckless on the feet. I would love to see Asakura become a huge star for the UFC, he has that aura about him. I think he’s going to have to battle through some tough rounds early on but if he can get Pantoja to trade with him once the champ feels confident, he’s so much more dangerous than his previous opponents. History awaits Asakura. (Prediction: Kai Asakura)
Ryan Jarrell: I must admit that I haven’t seen nearly as much tape of Asakura as I have of the current UFC flyweight champion. I did my homework and it’s clear that the former Rizin titleholder is the real deal. But let’s be honest, there is a giant jump coming from another promotion to the UFC.
Pantoja has been fighting the absolute best in the world every single fight, and his experience in high-level matchups will serve him well in this scrap. I see “The Cannibal” overcoming some early adversity from a tough debuting title challenger and winning judges scorecards. (Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja)
Thomas Albano: You can talk about how Asakura receiving a title shot in his UFC debut might be because no one else in the flyweight division has stood out enough to lock in a title shot. But I think that downplays the highlights and accomplishments that he’s had in Rizin. Asakura has plenty of power behind his strikes and is a known finisher throughout his career thus far. What will be interesting to see is how he manages himself at 125 pounds. He’s fought in the weight class before, but his main success came at 135 pounds.
Over the last few years, of course, Pantoja has come into his own. He’s fought in some of the UFC’s closest and most competitive fights within the last couple of years and has turned away some of the best competition currently at flyweight. He’s already solidified himself as the UFC’s 125-pound king, and his impact inside the Octagon will only increase with a win over Asakura. Though the Japanese newcomer is solid with his striking, I see Pantoja still as the better all-around performer, especially if this fight goes to the ground. I lean toward the champ here. (Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja)
Pranav Pandey: I think this matchup has all the makings of an unpredictable barnburner. Pantoja thrives in the chaos of an all-out brawl. His relentless pressure is a hallmark of his fighting style, one that leaves no room for breathing space as he hounds his opponents throughout the full 25 minutes. While “The Cannibal’s” striking and stand-up game are his primary weapons, the Brazilian champion is far from a one-dimensional fighter. He’s a seasoned veteran of the sport, fluid and adaptable, capable of taking the fight to any terrain. On the flip side, we have Asakura, a fighter who has faced considerable scrutiny from a portion of fans for securing a title shot in his promotional debut. Despite the controversy, the Japanese sensation’s record and his explosive ability to overwhelm opponents speak volumes about the hype surrounding him — and I must admit, I’m inclined to buy into it. However, Asakura’s path to pulling off an upset in his first Octagon appearance is far from straightforward.
There are several significant hurdles. For one, he’s never competed in a five-round fight, while Pantoja has honed his endurance in championship bouts. Additionally, Asakura will be cutting down to an unfamiliar weight class — a move that could have a profound impact on his performance, especially if the fight extends past the third round. All things considered, this fight won’t be an easy puzzle for either fighter to solve. However, I believe that if “The Cannibal” can weather Asakura’s early storm of power strikes, his experience will become the deciding factor. Once he takes control of the pace, it will be hard to imagine the Japanese fighter staying afloat. (Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja)
Andrew Starc: At 34 years old, Pantoja is now getting up there in age, but he’s on a six-fight win streak that’s seen him overcome the flyweight division’s best. The Brazilian is good on the feet and the ground, and while Asakura could threaten with his KO power, I expect Pantoja’s experience and all-round skills will determine this matchup. I think the pressure of making his UFC in a title fight will be too much for Asakura. (Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja)
Consensus: 4-1 Alexandre Pantoja
That’ll do it for our UFC 310 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 310 card below.
Main Card:
Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi
Preliminary Card:
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle
Early Preliminary Card:
Middleweight: Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders
Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Łukasz Brzeski
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 310!
A big heavyweight rematch is set to take place in Las Vegas this weekend as Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov meet again at UFC 310. As two of the top three ranked contenders in the division, both men could set themselves up for a title fight in the near future with a win here.
If interim champion Tom Aspinall doesn’t end up getting his desired title unification bout with Jon Jones, the Brit could be targeting a clash with Gane or a rematch with Volkov, giving him a specific interest in this matchup. He has been spoken about as a potential opponent for Gane multiple times and the Brit has already beaten Volkov when they faced off in London two years ago.
If that didn’t provide the interim champion with enough to work off, there’s also the five rounds that Gane and Volkov have already spent with each other inside the Octagon back in 2021 where “Gon Gamin” won a one-sided unanimous decision. In a recent episode of Tom Aspinall’s Fight Lab on TNT Sports, he broke down the fight.
Aspinall specifically drew attention to one aspect of the contest which he thinks will be crucial on Saturday night. With the height and reach advantage that he brings to the table, Volkov is very effective at walking opponents down but the speed and footwork of Gane are his best attributes.
Whoever is able to win this battle will be able to dictate where the fight takes place and therefore, will likely get their hand raised in Aspinall’s opinion.
“The feet are very important in this fight in my opinion. When I say the feet, I’m not talking about the kicking as such, I’m talking about the positioning of their feet. If Volkov can get him going backwards and keep him against the fence, he can just use that length and tee off on him with the kicks and the punches like we’re seeing there. On the contrary to that, Cyril Gane is really good moving backwards, that’s his strength is he lures his opponents in and moves off on them angles so it’s just an interesting matchup of styles and we love heavyweight fights.”
Ciryl Gane has expressed his willingness to face Tom Aspinall in the Octagon, a matchup he claims could have even materialized earlier this year.
The two heavyweight stars were linked for a potential fight over the summer, with Aspinall suggesting Gane declined a bout at UFC 304 in July. Instead, the Brit fought Curtis Blaydes, securing a first-round TKO victory to retain the interim heavyweight title.
Coach Fernand Lopez later confirmed that Gane turned down the summer fight due to prior commitments with a Netflix movie project.
The Frenchman has now clarified that no fight offer involving Aspinall was presented to him for September. “Bon Gamin” even countered Aspinall’s claims, alleging that Aspinall declined a potential matchup in March.
“Yeah, yeah, of course, for March – but it was not possible,” Gane said during an interview on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned. “He said I refused him in September, but the UFC didn’t propose me any contract with him [for that time]. Like I’ve said, I’m looking for the best opportunities for myself, and he’s doing the same. The UFC knows this is a fight I want.”
Despite the back and forth, Gane believes a clash with Aspinall is inevitable.
For now, his focus is on his upcoming fight against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310. The event takes place this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Gane aims to strengthen his position in the heavyweight division.
At UFC 310 this weekend, another heavyweight could join the conversation that has been dominated by the division’s two titleholders in Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Whichever man gets the win, Ciryl Gane or Alexander Volkov will prove that they’re the next in line for a title shot even if the future of the division remains unclear right now.
Since losing to Aspinall in 2022, Volkov has put together a very strong run with four consecutive wins. Gane, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since his victory over Serghei Spivac in Paris last year which saw him bounce back from his loss to Jones at UFC 285.
The former interim champion has received some criticism since then over not wanting to pursue a fight with Aspinall and then turning down the interim title fight for UFC 304 in July due to a commitment he had made to filming a TV show for Netflix which has since released. Chael Sonnen believes that with these factors being considered, he doesn’t understand why “Bon Gamin” is a clear favorite according to the oddsmakers.
“Ciryl is a very heavy favorite. I, for the life of me, do not know why.
“I don’t mean to be negative towards Ciryl but I will share with you, nobody gets better at this sport by not doing it and Ciryl passed up on very big opportunities to go and film a movie that nobody’s ever heard of and most likely will never see but you can’t ever get around that. Every actor wants to be an athlete and every athlete wants to be an actor. There’s no way to ever work that out. So now Ciryl’s going to come in against largely a mere image of himself.”
Many would point to Gane being a big favorite due to the way that their first meeting played out. In June of 2021, the French fighter dominated against Volkov and won all five rounds on multiple scorecards to earn his sixth consecutive win inside the Octagon.
Sonnen, however, believes that Volkov has never looked better than he did last time out against Sergei Pavlovich in June in a fight that he believes the Russian coasted through.
“Volkov went out and didn’t even take him serious. Volkov’s trainer in between rounds brought him water and a comb. He combed his hair in between rounds, I mean he was doing marketing and he was doing a spoof and he was performing cuz he was so unimpressed by your great blonde hope.”
Ciryl Gane is just days away from stepping back into the Octagon, where he will face former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov in a rematch at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. This bout was initially scheduled for October at UFC 308, but Volkov withdrew due to a knee injury.
Ahead of his next outing, Gane continues to reflect on his devastating loss to UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023 — a defeat he describes as a pivotal learning experience.
He rebounded impressively with a TKO victory over Serghei Spivac at a UFC Fight Night event in Paris six months later.
Speaking during the UFC 310 Countdown episode, Gane opened up about his mindset during the Jones fight, admitting that he felt disconnected in the cage.
“When I look back at it, it was obvious that I was not there. It represented exactly how I felt on the day of the fight. It was a total misunderstanding of what was happening,” Gane said. “I don’t recognize myself there. It’s something I’ve never done in my life. I’ve never fought that way before. My distance management, my movement, the alertness that I love to show — I had none of that.”
Despite the setback, Gane views the experience as a turning point in his career.
“Looking back, I think that this experience may have been beneficial,” Gane continued. “For me personally, it helped me to refocus on myself. It gave me a spirit of revenge, a competitive spirit.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBuiZj5Jzlc
Now fully refocused and determined, Gane will look to capitalize on his growth as he prepares for a second meeting with Volkov, hoping to solidify his path back to the top of the heavyweight division.
It’s safe to say that interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is not too confident that the winner of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will face him to unify the belts following UFC 309. The two veterans are set to collide at Madison Square Garden where it’s expected that both men will retire after the fight.
That leaves Aspinall likely looking at an upcoming clash between top contenders as his next opponent once he’s promoted to being the full champion. At UFC 310 on December 7, former interim champion Ciryl Gane will make his return to the Octagon to face off with Alexander Volkov in a rematch.
Gane was dominant in their first meeting back in 2021 but a lot has changed since then, especially when you look at both men’s activity. The Frenchman hasn’t fought since September of last year where he stopped Serghei Spivac in Paris to bounce back from his loss to Jones earlier that year.
As for Aspinall’s former opponent in Volkov, he’s won four in a row since losing to the Brit with his latest victory over Sergei Pavlovich coming this past June. In a recent interview with CasinoHawks, Aspinall previewed the fight.
He believes that the recent form and activity of the Russian will make this fight far more competitive than their initial meeting at the Apex three years ago.
“I think it’s a 50-50 fight. I know they fought before, and it was an absolute stinker—the first one was terrible. Since I fought Volkov, he’s improved a lot. He’s changed his training situation, and Gane has been inactive. Gane seems to fight once a year against opponents who suit him quite well. It’s hard to say; Volkov has been very active. I think he fought four or five times since we fought a couple of years ago, which is a lot for an elite heavyweight. I still think it’s a close fight, though, because I believe Gane is very good and smart, but I think it’ll be a lot closer than the last one, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Volkov pulled it off.”
A new upcoming MMA TV series is coming to Netflix on November 8 with the French release, “LA CAGE”, arriving on the streaming service. The show follows Melvin Boomer’s lead character who is a young fighter that dreams of making it to the top.
In this Rocky-like rise, he’s given an opportunity to take that next big step in his career which will lead to bigger and better things.
All five episodes of the series are directed by Franck Gastambide who also stars in the series, appearing to play the role of Boomer’s coach.
However, the real element that is going to get MMA fans talking is the inclusion of some of the biggest names in the sport today.
The trailer that has been released for La Cage shows that no expense has been spared to make this a major release for fight fans. It features three major promotions in the UFC, KSW and French promotion ARES, all with fight scenes that take place at live events.
Also, the likes of Jon Jones, Ciryl Gane and Georges St-Pierre are all playing themselves. St-Pierre would appear to be the most relevant of the three as the former two-weight UFC champion ends up becoming a part of the team as a huge inspiration to the young fighter.
La Cage’s IMDB page also lists several other notable names from the French MMA scene as cast members, including the UFC’s Taylor Lapilus and Morgan Charriere, PFL’s Abdoul Abdouraguimov, KSW’s Salahdine Parnasse and ONE Championship’s Anissa Meksen.
On that night, former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane thrilled his compatriots by knocking out Tai Tuivasa. And “Bon Gamin” repeated the feat last September when he stopped Serghei Spivac with strikes.
This year, however, presents an opportunity for a different French standout to make a splash in the main event spotlight: Benoît Saint Denis.
Gane’s Coach Explains Decision Not To Fight At Latest UFC Paris Event
During a recent interview with InsideFighting, coach Fernand Lopez commented on the UFC’s latest visit to his country and the fact that his star student won’t be a part of it this time around.
“We don’t have to talk about it with the UFC coming to Paris. It’s obvious that they want Ciryl to fight in Paris, and I was thinking about Ciryl fighting in Paris. This is what we talked (about doing),” Lopez said. “But an opportunity showed up with a better opponent in terms of ranking, a better opportunity in terms of pay-per-view, and better career constructions to go back to the belt.
“It makes sense for us to accept that opportunity. Ciryl already fought two times in Paris, finished his opponent two times in Paris, and enjoyed the moment to win in Paris,” Lopez continued. “I think for him, it is a new challenge to go to Abu Dhabi, a new different market, and for him to be qualified if they need him for the (title).”
Instead, the Frenchman looks set for the chance for redemption in Las Vegas, where he was submitted in the opening round by Jon Jones in March 2023. His clash with Volkov is expected to be rescheduled for UFC 310 at the T-Mobile Arena this December.
While still loaded with prominent names and big stakes, next month’s UFC 308 pay-per-view has lost one of its main card matchups.
After staging a UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi early last month, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will soon be back in the Middle East for its annual October numbered event at the Etihad Arena.
Among a slew of other ranked collisions was set to be a heavyweight rematch between former interim champion Ciryl Gane and charging Russian Alexander Volkov. That, however, doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.
Per French outlet La Sueur, the bout has been postponed due to an injury on the side of “Drago.” The pair are now expected to run back their 2021 bout at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Selon nos sources, la revanche entre 🇫🇷 Ciryl Gane et 🇷🇺 Alexander Volkov est reportée à l'#UFC310, le 7 décembre à Las Vegas, en raison d'une blessure du Russe. pic.twitter.com/x1AmjL9kDa
Top UFC heavyweights will run it back in the Middle East this coming October.
After returning to the Etihad Arena for UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov this weekend, the mixed martial arts leader will be back in Abu Dhabi for its annual October pay-per-view there.
And the UFC 308 numbered event has a major heavyweight matchup confirmed. Last month, Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight reported that former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (12-2) will run it back with seven-time UFC headliner Alexander Volkov (38-10) on October 26.
The pair previously collided in a UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex in June 2021, with Gane winning in lopsided fashion on the scorecards after five rounds.
On Saturday, Dana White confirmed the matchup in a video on social media.
Gane Ends Year Layoff Against Familiar Foe At UFC 308
When he makes his long-awaited return later this year, Gane will be tasked with stalling the resurgence of a longtime heavyweight veteran in Volkov.
The Frenchman hasn’t competed since the UFC Fight Night in Paris last September. For the second straight year, he recorded a main event knockout win in front of his home fans, this time at the expense of Serghei Spivac. That result marked a rebound performance six months on from a quick submission loss for Gane at the hands of Jon Jones in their vacant title fight.
According to reports, “Bon Gamin” turned down the chance to challenge for Tom Aspinall’s interim gold this month at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, owing to acting commitments. He’ll now also miss a France-held card for the first time, with Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis headlining at Accor Arena on September 28 instead.
Volkov, meanwhile, is flying high having won five of six since his loss to Gane in 2021. And following a defeat to Aspinall the following year, the Russian has reeled off four consecutive triumphs, most recently outpointing his fellow countryman Sergei Pavlovich at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia last month.
“Drago” will now return to the Middle East looking for redemption opposite Gane.
Despite the history between Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall with the way their first fight ended, having this match-up for the interim heavyweight title was not the first choice for the co-main event of UFC 304.
If the UFC was able to make it happen, Ciryl Gane was reportedly the frontrunner to face Aspinall in Manchester this Saturday.
It was later revealed that Gane was unable to fight on July 27 due to previous commitments that he had made to working on a movie.
The French fighter received criticism for this as a result but as his coach recently explained, the decision wasn’t made as choosing one or the other.
Fernand Lopez Explains Why Ciryl Gane Couldn’t Fight At UFC 304 After Scheduling Issues
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Gane’s coach Fernand Lopez explained how this whole process came together and why they were unable to take the interim title fight.
This movie project has been something that “Bon Gamin” was set to work on since much earlier in the year but the plans were changed once the UFC came to him and his team with the idea of fighting Sergei Pavlovich.
Lopez states that Pavlovich was unable to take the fight in March so they made an arrangement to push back the filming so that Gane could fight the Russian powerhouse at UFC 300 in April.
Lopez referenced how in trying to make the dates work for all parties, the UFC was in communication with Netflix to try and reschedule the movie’s filming schedule to allow for Gane to compete at UFC 304.
Unfortunately, they were unable to push the dates back even further which led to Aspinall defending the interim title in a rematch with Blaydes instead.
“When we went back with Netflix, signed the deal with Netflix, we couldn’t stop it. The UFC couldn’t stop it. Matter of fact, I give the contact of Netflix and I give the contact of the producer of the movie that was very kind, I give that contact to the UFC and try to talk with them. UFC have very good relationship with Netflix, with the global Netflix, and they was trying to reschedule thing and change thing I say okay, if you can make it to move things, to remove the movie and push it a little bit back, then we are good to go.
“We will do that, we will wait and we will do the fight and then wait for the movie and they tried with the UFC. Hunter Campbell himself call Netflix to try to push back the filming but that was too much money to spend. That was too much thing to move around and again, this is something that is not a problem. We don’t have any beef with the UFC talking about this movie.”
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes wasn’t surprised to see Ciryl Gane get the call for Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut last year.
Having spent three years away from the Octagon following his final defense of the light heavyweight title in 2020, Jones successfully arrived in a new weight class at UFC 285 in March 2023.
The all-time MMA great achieved his two-division ambitions by submitting former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the first round of their clash for the then-vacant heavyweight title.
Many questioned the decision to place “Bon Gamin” opposite Jones given that he boasted a sole win over Tai Tuivasa since falling short against Francis Ngannou in early 2022. Blaydes was among those branded a logical candidate by a portion of the community, with “Razor” coming off three straight wins.
But the American didn’t get the opportunity, and he believes Jones’ desire for a more comfortable heavyweight debut played a part in that…
Blaydes: A Lot Of Heavyweights ‘Would Have Been Harder’ For Jones Than Gane
“Razor” insisted that the decision to go a different route for Jones’ first foray into the weight class was not a shock, both down to the marketing edge for French star Gane and the increased difficulty he has no doubt the light heavyweight legend would have had against him at UFC 285.
“I wasn’t surprised (that UFC booked Gane vs. Jones). I’ve been with the UFC for eight years now. Like, I get it,” Blaydes said. “Marketing. He’s French, which means he brings in all the fans over there. He has an aesthetically pleasing style. A lot of people don’t like wrestling, so I get that. He does all the fancy karate stance and all that. It’s easy to market his highlights versus the highlights that I have.
“Also, i think they asked Jon and were probably like, ‘Jon, do you wanna go against this guy who doesn’t know how to wrestle? Or this guy, who knows how to wrestle?’ I think he did the business, smart decision,” Blaydes continued. “I am a harder fight for him than Gane; I think a lot of guys are a harder fight for him than Gane.”
With the chance to win the interim belt this weekend, the state of the division would suggest that a Jones fight would be back on the cards for Blaydes given the Rochester native’s status as the other heavyweight titleholder.
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 12, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
Fans believe Pereira was snubbed over O’Malley
Goggins says Strickland has not replied to his challenge
Gane and Volkov set to meet again at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi
Fans Give Confused Reaction To Sean O’Malley Winning ‘Best UFC Fighter’ At The ESPYs
Whilst some fans questioned whether the period of time that is judged meant that the award was voted this way, many were simply baffled at the idea of Pereira not winning this award regardless of which time frame you want to look at.
“Bro sean has fought 3 ( 4 if you county the Pedro fight) times since 2022. Alex has fought 8 smh they did bad on this”
Bro sean has fought 3 ( 4 if you county the Pedro fight) times since 2022. Alex has fought 8 smh they did bad on this
David Goggins Challenges Sean Strickland To Three Days Of Training For Three Rounds Of Boxing
David Goggins vs. Sean Strickland has turned into a surprising social media beef as of late, with both men speaking about one another in videos.
Following the former UFC middleweight champion’s comments about Navy SEALs and Goggins’ military career, the athlete and public speaker issued a challenge to him to test what Strickland is truly made of.
“Sean Strickland, I know you’re doing all this for clickbait. We had a DM the other day, me and you, back and forth. I was pretty much DMing you because you called me a b**** and talked about my military career and going out here once again and trying to, like you said in your DM, trying to be a clown. You’re an MMA fighter and you’re also a comedian so, you know, I’m not much of a comedian at all.”
As seen below, Goggins recently shared a look at the message that he sent to Strickland which has not received a reply as of yet, calling to train and spar with him.
He continued to say that he is done with exchanging videos and that this is his final offer- and whether the former champion takes it or not is up to him.
“You say you can f*** me up in training, I responded to that video to you and this is what I said. You have yet to respond to this and so anytime you want to train with me, I am ready to train with you. I am done with the videos.”
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov 2 Reportedly Set For UFC 308 In Abu Dhabi
The UFC is heading back to Abu Dhabi in October for UFC 308, as has become a tradition for the MMA leader’s calendar.
A first match-up has been reported for this card with Ag. Fight claiming that former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane will be facing Alexander Volkov in a rematch on October 26.
Many were expecting to see Gane return on the Paris card in September, after he reportedly turned down the option to fight Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 later this month.
Volkov will be looking to avenge his loss to “Bon Gamin” in 2021 off the back of a big victory over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia last month.
Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane likes what he sees from Tai Tuivasa following his win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 271.
Gane and Tuivasa could be on a collision course sooner rather than later in the UFC heavyweight division. Tuivasa moved up to No. 3 in the latest UFC rankings while Gane remains at No. 1 despite his UFC 270 loss to Francis Ngannou.
Tuivasa is arguably the hottest heavyweight contender in the division at the moment, having won five straight via knockout. He has also become a UFC fan favorite with his post-fight ‘shoey’ celebrations.
“Congratulations to this guy,” Gane said of Tuivasa. “It was a really interesting fight. Unfortunately, I was sleeping at this moment, like every time. But I saw the fight after and it was a really tough fight. So congratulations to Derrick Lewis also, it was a beautiful fight. And Tuivasa is an amazing fighter. He can do something big in this division. He has something.”
Tuivasa is now a Top-3 UFC heavyweight and will surely get a big name for his next octagon appearance. His win over Lewis put him on the map and demonstrated that he can compete with the best heavyweights in MMA.
How far do you think Tai Tuivasa can go in the UFC’s heavyweight division?
Francis Ngannou thinks Ciryl Gane had a cherry-picked path to a title shot.
Francis Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight champion. He defended his title successfully against one of the toughest opponents available in Ciryl Gane and has once again proven that he is the best. Ngannou had to prove his skills through a tough road to becoming UFC champ. He lost some, won some more, and worked his way to becoming the “baddest man on the planet.”
Now that Ngannou and Gane have fought and Ngannou came out on top, he is being a little critical of Gane’s path to the title fight.
“You don’t usually get into the UFC and get to fight for the title without fighting a wrestler. That’s the rule. In this case, he seems like he was protected. They were protecting him, and they were just hyping his striking style. This isn’t a striking game. This is a fighting game,” Ngannou said on his YouTube Channel (via MMAWeekly).
Gane has just ten fights on his professional MMA résumé. His only loss so far was the fight with Ngannou. In his UFC career, Gane has faced seven opponents before facing Ngannou, those seven have a combined 171 professional fights, and only a combined 10 submission victories.
As for Gane himself, he holds three submission victories in his career. Ngannou was making the point that the UFC was trying to shed a spotlight on Gane’s striking power, instead of testing him on the ground. However, Gane has proven that he can submit when needed. In fact, his first two wins in the UFC were by submission.
Ngannou showcased a well-rounded game plan in the win. He will be out of competition for an undisclosed amount of time, however, now that he will need to heal up from a lingering knee injury. As for Gane, he could be back in action later this year.
Do you think the UFC tried to steer Gane away from facing wrestlers?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou thinks the pre-UFC 270 hype got in Ciryl Gane’s head ahead of their fight.
Ngannou earned a unanimous decision win at UFC 270 over Gane, but it was anything but easy. Entering the cage with a significant knee injury, Ngannou didn’t use his striking as much and instead utilized his improved grappling, especially in the later rounds.
Ngannou vs. Gane was arguably the most highly-anticipated heavyweight title clash in UFC history. While the fight itself wasn’t as much of a barn-burner as many expected, it was a technical showcase from both fighters.
The pre-fight hype included the relationship between Ngannou and his former MMA Factory head coach, Fernand Lopez, along with his past sparring sessions with Gane. Many believed Gane had the perfect skillset to dethrone Ngannou, especially on the feet.
“The weak spot, I hoped that before the fight was that he’d really listen and believe to what they were saying in the media,” Ngannou said. “He did believe everything in the media was saying at some point, and that’s why even at the press conference or at the faceoff face-to-face, I’m like ‘I really like you, don’t just let this get in your mind’. Not only for this fight, because what would’ve happened if he won this fight? Then they would keep telling him the same thing until he face the same situation with somebody.”
Gane has hinted that he hopes Ngannou will stay with the UFC long-term so that he can get a potential rematch in the future. Ngannou is expected to miss a majority of 2022 after undergoing surgery on his injured knee.
In the meantime, the UFC could potentially schedule another interim title fight later this year. Gane could win a pair of fights and work his way back to potential vengeance against Ngannou.
What do you think is next for Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane?
Despite falling to defeat against Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane believes he displayed better striking and groundwork than “The Predator” at UFC 270.
In the opening pay-per-view main event of 2022, then-interim titleholder Gane and reigning heavyweight king Ngannou met for a blockbuster unification showdown.
While Gane had started strong, taking the opening two rounds with his evasive and technical striking on the scorecards of most fans and pundits, it was Ngannou’s strength and imposing top game that saw the final three frames fall in his favor.
But despite spending many minutes on his back in the later rounds and failing to overcome the champ’s wrestling, Gane believes he was “better” in all aspects beyond power.
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, “Bon Gamin” suggested he displayed better technique on the feet and on the ground, citing his ability to prevent Ngannou’s ground-and-pound and submission attempts as evidence.
“I think I was better with my striking, and I was better on the ground game too,” said Gane. “Because if you see, he catch me and kick me. It was difficult for him to do some ground-and-pound or some submission because my technique is good, you see? And it was more about the power and the plan.
“He used the power for the wrestling. Unfortunately, it was about two seconds when he catch me just on my ribs, behind my ribs,” added Gane. “After that, it’s more complicated to go out with the power of Francis, that’s why I went down. After that, he leave his body on me. He don’t do too much. This is respect for him still because he don’t need to do much… It was just a little mistake. For me, I was better on the striking (and) on the ground game. But, for me, I know this is a little bit strange to say, but I was better on my wrestling too; if you compare the technique. That’s why I’m okay (with the loss).”
Gane: Herb Dean Should Have Stood The Fight Up In The 5th Round
Despite his disappointment and belief that he edged most realms of the fight, Gane has consistently given credit to Ngannou for executing his game plan.
While he continued to do that during his conversation with Ariel Helwani, the Frenchman did suggest referee Herb Dean perhaps should have stood the pair up during Ngannou’s lengthy period of low-activity top control in the fifth round.
“When you have a big guy like Francis on your chest, if you want to go away, if you want to stand up, that’s not a good plan; to push the guy (up like a rep),” said Gane. “I don’t want to do that with Francis. So I was waiting for a good position to stand up. That’s what the regret is more like, the referee in the fifth round. The referee, for me, he take his time to stand up the fight a little bit.
“I looked, I connect the eye with the referee like, ‘Okay, let’s go, let’s go, stand up please, look.’ So that’s why this is a little regret. But he (Ngannou) did very well. Congratulations to Francis,” concluded Gane.
While it’s uncertain whether or not the pair will meet inside the Octagon again or if Ngannou will share the cage with anyone else in the UFC, it would certainly be interesting to see how Gane would go about adjusting to deal with the one area he believes led to him falling short at UFC 270: Ngannou’s strength and power.
What did you make of Ciryl Gane’s performance against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270?Do you agree with the Frenchman’s assessment?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou was reminded of his first Stipe Miocic fight when he looked at Ciryl Gane midway through UFC 270.
Ngannou made his first title defense against Gane in the UFC 270 main event, winning via unanimous decision. It wasn’t the striking showcase everyone expected, but the champion demonstrated his improved grappling skills to get the victory over Gane.
The first two rounds weren’t going in Ngannou’s favor according to two of the UFC 270 judges. However, he was able to turn the tide in Rounds 3 through 5 and control the path to retaining his belt.
Ngannou’s journey to the UFC title was anything but easy. After a difficult loss to Miocic at UFC 220, he would lose a lackluster bout against Derrick Lewis before going on his current six-fight winning streak.
Ngannou has alluded to his UFC 220 fight with Miocic as a completely different version of who he is today. During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he revealed that Gane’s body language at the end of Round 3 reminded him of his former self.
“By the end of the round, I looked at him, I saw me when I fought Stipe the first time,” Ngannou said. “I’m like, ‘This guy is done.’ Yeah, and he wasn’t even able to listen to his coach. I was listening to his corner talk to him and he wasn’t reacting. I’m like, he’s done. That is exactly me when I fought Stipe the first time. That’s the moment that I knew I won the fight, at the end of the third round… He was broken, I could tell. I look him in his eyes and was like it’s a done deal.”
Francis Ngannou’s UFC Future Remains Uncertain
Ngannou went through quite the buildup to UFC 270. He’s been dealing with tense contract talks with UFC President Dana White and the promotion, and negotiations have seemingly hit a dead end.
This was further supported when White declined to put the belt around Ngannou as the official decision was read at UFC 270. White also was notably absent from post-fight media obligations, though White has since claimed external issues prevented him from carrying out these activities.
When asked by Helwani to forecast his future with the promotion, Ngannou remained cautiously optimistic. There are tears in the relationship with the UFC that need repair, and Ngannou seems hell-bent on getting the promotion back on his side.
What are your takeaways from Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane?
MMA Factory Coach Fernand Lopez wants to see Ciryl Gane and UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou run it back in Paris, France.
At UFC 270, Gane’s rapid rise from MMA newcomer to the top of the heavyweight food chain met its first hurdle. That hurdle? Former teammate and Cameroonian powerhouse Ngannou.
In the opening two rounds, it looked like “Bon Gamin” was well on his way to outlasting “The Predator” and reaching the undisputed throne as an undefeated fighter. That all changed with one caught kick and one takedown.
In the build-up to UFC 270, Lopez unleashed a host of revelations about Ngannou’s time at Paris’ MMA Factory gym, from refusing to pay the membership fee to attempting to sabotage Gane’s UFC signing.
While the hatchet has seemingly been buried in the aftermath of the pay-per-view, largely due to the peace-keeping mission of Kamaru Usman, Lopez doesn’t want the possibility of a rematch between Gane and Ngannou to similarly simmer down.
Lopez: Close Fights Usually Get Rematches
During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Lopez was asked what’s next for the former interim titleholder. While he acknowledged Jon Jones will be the promotion’s target, the 43-year-old admitted the ideal scenario for his party would see Ngannou and Gane run it back in France later this year.
“I would like that fight with Francis to happen in France (next) if that’s possible. But, that’s the last thing the UFC is thinking right now,” said Lopez. “If they solve the problem with Francis, what they’d like to do, what everyone would like to have, is Jon Jones/Francis.
“But again, as a manager, Ciryl made a lot of money for this fight (UFC 270), a lot; enough, actually,” added Lopez. “And he has time. We can wait six months, seven months. We have time to wait until maybe they can sort out the problem with Francis at some point. What I’m saying is that I don’t know about you, but I feel the fight was close, and when the fight is close, generally we’re talking about immediate rematches, which can make sense. But I’m realistic.”
While Gane is a native of La-Roche-sur-Yon, France, Ngannou emerged from the streets of the country’s capital to make it as a successful mixed martial artist. With the interest in both men in the region, Lopez believes a rematch in Paris would be beyond huge.
“If you ask me as a manager, I’m like, let’s go for the immediate rematch in Paris. If they fight in Paris, because of Ciryl, if they fight in Paris, Francis would make good money in Paris. I mean like, France is going nuts about this fight, African people are going crazy about this fight. Most of the followers of Francis are African people living in Paris or Europe. That would be bananas if they have this fight in France,” concluded Lopez.
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With the reception he received upon his arrival back in France, it’s clear Gane is immensely popular across the Atlantic and growing into a popular fan-favorite among the French population.
While Ngannou certainly has his supporters there as well, he recently commented on the fickle nature of the French media, who, in his mind, brand him as French when he wins and Cameroonian when he loses.
With the attitude of the media members who made the long trip to Las Vegas for UFC 270, which was shown during a heated back-and-forth between Ngannou and a French reporter at the press conference, it would be interesting to see how Ngannou is received and treated by the media if a rematch goes down in Paris.
Would you like to seeFrancis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane run it back in Paris, France?
