
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 07: Francis Ngannou of Cameroon stands in the Octagon before facing Derrick Lewis in their heavyweight fight during the UFC 226 event inside T-Mobile Arena on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 07: Francis Ngannou of Cameroon stands in the Octagon before facing Derrick Lewis in their heavyweight fight during the UFC 226 event inside T-Mobile Arena on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Newly crowned UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane can pose a serious challenge to reigning heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, but Francis will be ready, according to the latter’s coach Eric Nicksick. The Frenchman just won the interim title after dominating a fighter who had already beaten Ngannou, Derrick Lewis.
‘Bon Gamin’ showed impressive feet moment and opponent awareness, as he never allowed ‘The Black Beast’ to show him his explosive power. The victory also ensured that Gane remained undefeated in his professional MMA career.
In a brief career of two years inside the octagon, the Frenchman has taken down many names and now has his sights on the Cameroonian brute.
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In a recent interview given to MMA Junkie, Ngannou‘s coach talked about many things, including the titular clash with the Frenchman. He also revealed that Ngannou certainly has an intensity about his upcoming clash. After all, his non-negotiations with UFC led to the promotion going ahead with an interim fight.
“I wouldn’t say he feels disrespected–I don’t want to put words in another man’s mouth–but there’s definitely an edginess about him like, ‘I’m going to prove these guys wrong,'” Nicksick said. “I don’t know what there is to prove or what he has to do.”
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“He’s the heavyweight champion of the world. Gane looked great this past weekend. I know we have our hands full, but in my mind, that title is always going to run through us, and it’s ours to defend,” he added.
Ciryl Gane wants to face Francis Ngannou in France
Gane, in a recent interview with BJPenn.com, expressed his desire to fight Ngannou in Paris, France. “For the first UFC event in Paris, France, it will be a success for sure,” Gane said. “It will be really great.”
The fight between Ngannou and Gane won’t be any other fight. Both have a history between themselves as they used to spar together. But Gane believes it won’t affect the fight at all.
“It was good. It was really crazy for me. I just started MMA, and he was already in the top-five, so it was crazy to spar with this big name. I do feel lucky a little bit,” Gane explained. “We did spar a little bit, but not too much… No, we aren’t really close.”
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 27: Ciryl Gane of France reacts after his victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik of Suriname in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“We both have changed since we sparred. We do have some videos but I don’t know exactly how we will prepare for this fight but my coach will do the job.”
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This would certainly be a mouthwatering contest. On one side, we have a ferocious knockout king in Ngannou, and on the other side, we have perhaps the most technically gifted heavyweight in Gane.
Who do you see prevailing in the end?
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