Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3138908/ufc-ciryl-gane-predicts-war-francis-ngannou Mixed Martial Arts
UFC: Ciryl Gane predicts ‘war’ with Francis Ngannou for heavyweight title after beating Alexander Volkov
- ‘Bon Gamin’ earns dominant unanimous decision over Volkov in UFC Vegas 30 main event
- ‘I’m comfortable about this match-up … We were in the same gym. If tomorrow we’re gonna fight for the belt, this is beautiful for us,’ Gane says
Ciryl Gane kicks Alexander Volkov in their heavyweight main event at UFC Vegas 30. Photos: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ciryl Gane has predicted a “war” with Francis Ngannou if he gets a heavyweight title shot after beating Alexander Volkov by unanimous decision in Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 30 main event.
Two judges had it 50-45 for the Frenchman at the promotion’s Apex facility, with the third scoring it 49-46 as Gane (9-0) remained undefeated with his sixth win in the Octagon.
“For me, now I’m looking for the belt. A match-up for the belt. 100 per cent,” he said. “If it happens, it will be a war like today for sure.”
“Bon Gamin” may have to wait his turn, however.
Ngannou is set to defend his title against Derrick Lewis in September, while former champ Stipe Miocic is looking for a trilogy rematch with “The Predator”.
Former light heavyweight king Jon Jones is also in contention for an immediate title shot after making the move up, provided he can agree financial terms on the bout.
"Now, I'm comfortable with the situation, because he [has] the belt."
On the #UFCVegas30 post-show, @ciryl_gane revealed he would not have fought Francis Ngannou without a title on the line, due to Ngannou's ties to MMA Factory, where Gane trains. pic.twitter.com/XxsFTAe2yC— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 26, 2021
“I think we can wait,” Gane said at a post-fight media interview backstage. “This is maybe gonna help us to improve in some departments of myself, so yes, we can wait. And I have a baby the next month.
“I don’t need another fight for the title shot,” he added. “I think this guy Volkov was a really great challenge to prove it, and I proved it. So yes, if tomorrow the UFC wants to match me for the title shot, I’m ready.”
The 31-year-old Gane is a former sparring partner of Ngannou’s at the MMA Factory gym in Paris, France, where Ngannou emigrated to aged 26 from Cameroon.
Ciryl Gane punches Alexander Volkov.
“I’m comfortable about this match-up if it’s gonna happen,” he added. “We were in the same gym. If tomorrow we’re gonna fight for the belt, this is beautiful for us, for me, for him, for my coach, for the Factory.
“We talked together the last time when we sparred for his fight for [Alistair] Overeem. He come back to France to prepare. This man is really tough, it’s not a joke.”
It was a second win in two main events in 2021 for No 3-ranked Gane, who also earned a dominant unanimous decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in February.
Alexander Volkov punches Ciryl Gane.
“We are comfortable with 25 minutes,” Gane said in his post-fight interview in the Octagon. “I’m really happy with everything that’s happening at this moment. We did it twice. Two main events, two wins, I’m really happy.
“For the main event, people want a show. Today I think I made a little bit more pressure. We were really prepared for his performance. Volkov is a big guy, really tough, really heavy, taller than me, he has good kicks, good striking too. The fight was really balanced and I’m really happy about that.
“I’m already confident and no, this doesn’t add any pressure. I’m undefeated in the UFC, but trust me, in my gym, I’m really not undefeated.”