Ciryl Gane was only 3-0 as a professional fighter when he signed with the UFC in 2019, and no one, not even the UFC braintrust of Dana White, Hunter Campbell, Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard who sought him out could be certain of what they had. Gane was clearly a brilliant athlete who was extraordinarily fit and moved like a middleweight.
A former soccer player and Muay Thai fighter, Gane had shown well early in his MMA career against limited opposition, but what White and Co. couldn't know at the time they signed him was whether it would translate.
That defeat was also his second in three bouts. He lost his belt to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 on Jan. 22, 2022, when he made a huge error in the final round, giving up top position to go for a heel hook. Ngannou, one of the UFC's most powerful strikes, took advantage and used wrestling to close out the fifth round of an even bout and win the fight.
To his credit, Gane looked in the mirror. He deservedly credited Jones, but also realized he needed to make significant changes in what he was doing to prepare for his bouts. He grinned when he was asked if he expected Spivac to try to wrestle him, particularly since Ngannou, who is not known for wrestling, used it so effectively against him throughout their bout. Jones is one of the best, if not the best, MMA wrestlers in the sport's history, and there was never a question that Jones would rely on a wrestling-heavy plan.
Despite the losses, Gane is still ranked No. 2 at heavyweight, behind only No. 1 contender Sergei Pavlovich and Jones, of course. He's not that far away from getting another shot. No. 4 Tom Aspinall has called him out and should Gane win Saturday, that's the fight that likely could be made.
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