Francis Ngannou wasn’t too happy about the interim title bout between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane to begin with. He had yet to defend his heavyweight title, and already an interim title was being thrown around?
However, on the day of the fight, he dismissed any claims to legitimacy at UFC 265. As far as Francis Ngannou is concerned, both men aren’t even playing for second, but for second contender, with Stipe Miocic first in line. As Ngannou told Twitter:
Ngannou: “I’m the king!” – Gane and Lewis fighting for no. 2 contender
“The main event is about to begin. It’s going to be a great fight, regardless, and I think we’re going to enjoy the fight.
But for real, I’m the king, bro. Nothing, they are just fighting for the contender rank . No. 2 rank, actually, because Stipe is the No. 1 contender. The king is right here.”
Francis Ngannou put Stipe Miocic away at UFC 260 in March, in doing so claiming the heavyweight title. It took Francis under a minute in the second round to do so, and talk of a rematch has been circulating ever since. Currently, Stipe and Francis are 1-1 against each other, so a trilogy fight would seal either man’s legacy at heavyweight.
Stipe may have been above Lewis and Gane in the rankings, but after Ciryl Gane brushed Derrick Lewis aside so easily, the top spot is looking nowhere near as secure as it once did. The great nullifying factor at 265 pounds has always been devastating power, but if Ciryl Gane can neutralize Derrick Lewis’ power with superior technique, Francis Ngannou may well have a title threat on his hands.
Ngannou and Gane actually share some history, too. Both men trained at France’s premier MMA gym, MMA Factory in Paris. When Francis moved to France in 2012, he was homeless. The gym’s owner, Fernand Lopez, allowed him to sleep and train at the gym for free. However, Ngannou’s relationship with Lopez deteriorated over the years, eventually culminating in Ngannou’s departure for Xtreme Couture in the USA. Cyril Gane, on the other hand, remains loyal to MMA Factory.
The former training partners will face off to decide the undisputed heavyweight title, and Stipe Miocic will have to wait a little longer to take a run at the belt once more.
Do you think Miocic deserves a shot at Ngannou before Gane, or should the interim title be enough for the Frenchman to face his former teammate? Let us know in the comments.
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