Returning to the UFC octagon fifteen months after his last fight, Ciryl Gane was the target of criticism during his absence, but before facing Russian Alexander Volkov on Saturday in Las Vegas, he assures: “I I’m always on top.”
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A simple spectator during the last appearance of the UFC in Paris, Gane has not fought since September 2023 and his demolition of Serghei Spivac in front of the public at Bercy. During this period of inactivity, a game of chess took place in the heavyweight category with the taking of the interim belt by the British Tom Aspinall, then the defense of the world title by the American Jon Jones.
Result: in the meantime, French fans have become passionate about new fighters, from Cédric Doumbé to Nassourdine Imavov and Benoit Saint-Denis. But above all, in the eyes of some, “Good kid”, accused of dodging his adversaries, would have lost credit within Dana White’s organization.
“ On the contrary », Affirms Gane in an interview with AFP. “ People don’t understand how the UFC works anyway. They just listen to guys who do trash talk. »
“Pass a milestone”
“ My place hasn’t changed in several years. I’m always on top », he continues in his quiet voice. “ Currently in the rankings, there is Jones, Tom and then there is me. I’ve been in the top 3 for quite some time. Unfortunately, each time, there is this little step that we miss – the step of the undisputed champion – but we are there! »
At 34, Gane now seems to take criticism with detachment. Bombarded with praise from his MMA debut, the Frenchman has seen many jackets turned around after his quick defeat against Jones for the belt in March 2023.
“ In fact, post-Jon Jones made me grow up “, he said. “ It’s hard to say, but I’m almost glad it happened to me. I would have preferred not to lose, but ultimately, if I have to lose to someone once in my life, it would be better if it was Jon Jones. It really took me a step further. »
Until then, the Vendéen, who discovered MMA late in life, had experienceda meteoric rise. “ I was a lot in something where everything goes well… I don’t know this sport, I was told to come and do it. I’m training, it’s going well… And suddenly, you get something in the back of your head and you say to yourself: ”Wow, what happened?” »
“For the sensations”
“ This fight will follow me until the end of my career, it was a real defeat, which made a lot of noise in the media, so I have to have something ultimate to erase this defeat. », he continues.
What has changed since then? “ I really do things for me now. (…) I know what I’m worth, I know what I do in life, I know how hard it is, the sacrifices I make… »
Before facing Volkov, who is right behind him in the rankings and who has four victories in a row, Gane is eager to make his return to the octagon.
“ As a competitor and as a fan of this sport, I missed the sensations. I have a bit of fight jitters, but those are the sensations that we like, because behind it, when there is victory, it is increased tenfold. », he smiles. “ Why have I loved this sport since the first fight? It’s for the sensations when I’m in the cage in the present moment. »
A victory against the Russian, whom Gane had already beaten in 2021, could reestablish the Frenchman among the legitimate contenders for the belt. “ This is my first motivation “, he says.