UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was in attendance at UFC Paris this weekend. He sat in the front row, watching his old teammate and rival Ciryl Gane demolish Tai Tuivasa via knockout. On the ESPN post-fight show, Ngannou admitted that Gane was a “great fighter”, but claimed that it was “hard to be impressed” by a man that he’s already defeated.
“Well, I know he’s a great fighter. It’s hard to respond to that question for a guy that I beat if I’m impressed with him. I mean he’s here for a reason. I fought him for a reason, because he’s the No. 1 contender.
Ngannou: “It’s Hard to Be Impressed” by Ciryl Gane
Yes, he’s good, but I’m the champ. So it’s really hard to be impressed. Great performance. That fight was very electric, though. It was good action in the fight, and then at some point you see the fight was half-half, and then it switched back to Ciryl’s side, which is what I thought.”
Last time Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane crossed paths, it was to unify the UFC heavyweight title. Ngannou held the belt after defeating Stipe Miocic, while Ciryl Gane earned the interim title by knocking out the “knock out king” himself, Derrick Lewis. Ngannou resoundingly defeated Gane, suffocating the Frenchman’s mobile standup game with dominant wrestling.
Francis Ngannou’s fearsome reputation in the UFC is built on his enormous punching power. Cyril Gane, on the other hand, is a more technical fighter whose hulking physique belies stunning, ballet-like mobility. Gane moves like a middleweight, controlling distance and choosing his strikes carefully. That’s how he defeated Tai Tuivasa this weekend, and that’s what Ngannou remembers about his old MMA Factory teammate.
“Because as far as distance, he’s good at controlling that and he was able to apply that in the fight tonight. You can see the body kicks, that’s what got him the victory. He [had a strategical], technical type of a fight.” Ngannou also offered an update on his own timeline for a return to the Octagon.
“I don’t have any whispers [about what’s next] right now since I don’t have any timeline for the return. I’m going to see the doctor I think one week from now. I’m following up with the doctor so they’re going to check and see how it’s going.
But it’s going pretty good, but you have to give it some time. It’s not like it’s going to be great. It’s been five months so kind of have some more time.”
Were you impressed by Ciryl Gane this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
