Dana White himself said you couldn’t script it. Cyril Gane and Francis Ngannou, former training partners at Paris’ MMA Factory, will fight to unify the UFC heavyweight title. Former allies, now enemies. It’s the stuff that Hollywood movies are made of.
It’s tempting to view the bout as a grudge match, but MMA Factory coach Fernand Lopez took this opportunity to clear the air.
Gane’s Coach Makes His Relationship With Ngannou Clear
Lopez told MMAFighting.com that:“I don’t know how to explain it.
Because I have some pride in that. It’s not something bad for me. To be honest with you, people are meant to find their paths, find their family, feel good somewhere. If a fighter asked me where is the best gym for me?
I will say you will know. As soon as you find your place, you will know this is your home.
People they really misunderstand what was kind of my beef with Francis, that I had the beef with Francis when he left my gym, but they are too wrong. This is me again finding myself talking about this, what I do decide to not talk about it ever.”
Lopez seems to bear no ill will towards Ngannou for moving to the US in pursuit of his UFC dream, despite reports to the contrary. Lopez took Francis Ngannou in when he was homeless, offering him a place to sleep and train for free.
“This is the thing, a long time ago Francis when he first arrived in my gym and was starting to train, he had two goals. Be a professional boxer and live in America.
That was his two dreams. Francis always had the American dream. He dreamed so strongly. For him, living in America was the most achievement you can have.”
Lopez even helped Francis move to the USA. “So when he finally had two, three fights in the UFC, he asked me ‘I want to go to the U.S. can you help me with this?’ and I said yes, no problem.
He said will you come with me? I said no I can’t but I will help you.”
Lopez’s only issue with Ngannou seems to be that Francis rarely credits MMA Factory with his development as a fighter. “I was wondering, is there any problem?
We spent five years together in my gym. You never pay anything, everything is free for you. I took you under my wing, took care of you, everything. What’s so bad for you?
What is so hard for you to say that ‘Fernand Lopez brought me the UFC contract.’ Why would you say to a journalist, they ask you how you got to to the UFC and you’re like ‘I was just fighting, I was winning fights and I got the call from the UFC”
Regardless, Lopez sees the inevitable clash of giants that will be Gane v Ngannou as a great thing for him. Two of his proteges challenging for a world title. Is there anything better for an MMA coach?
Who do you see winning the title unification bout? Let us know in the comments.
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