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Nicolas Atkin

Francis Ngannou showed off his “evolution” to frustrate Ciryl Gane and take a unanimous decision to retain his heavyweight title in Saturday night’s UFC 270 main event.
“The Predator” is usually known for his fearsome striking, but he displayed some slick jiu-jitsu to sweep the third, fourth and fifth rounds, after his former training partner Gane had picked away at him for the first two in Anaheim, California.
Two of the cageside judges at Honda Center had it 48-47, with the third scoring it 49-46 for Ngannou, who handed Gane his first professional loss.
“I put in work every day,” Ngannou (17-3) told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview. “My ground game is now evolving. I’m on another level.”


We had already seen a new Ngannou when he claimed the belt from Stipe Miocic last March, showing off his improved cardio and ability to stuff a takedown.
This was another different version, for sure, with Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick devising a smart game plan and the 35-year-old Cameroonian perfectly enacting it.

Ngannou used his strength and weight advantage to put Gane on his back for the first time in the UFC, and kept him there, repeating the trick in the championship rounds – a feat that was all the more incredible, given he came into the fight injured.
“I knew that he’s going to be a tough opponent, no doubt. I know him, he was very good,” Ngannou said of the man he used to spar at the MMA Factory gym in Paris, France.
“The only thing I had to do – my coach reminded me all the time – stay calm, stay composed, don’t chase him, trust yourself.

“It’s been an incredible journey. It was a very tough training camp. Three weeks ago I hurt my knee. Tore my MCL completely. Hurt my ACL. I wanted to pull out of the fight but I couldn’t see myself retreat from this fight.
“It was the moment for me to make a statement and remind people I’m the champ. Tonight I’m just going to celebrate with my team.”
For Gane (10-1) the night had started in promising fashion, as he kept doing just enough to seemingly win rounds one and two, chipping away with inside leg kicks and front kicks to the chest.

“Bon Gamin” had carved his way through the UFC heavyweight division with his slick Muay Thai, his confounding speed and agility, his high fight IQ and tactical acumen, claiming the interim belt in just seven wins over the space of two years.
But he had no answer in the final 15 minutes here as Ngannou surprised everyone. “We didn’t know he possessed the ability to fight this fight. Or perhaps we never thought he would try it,” former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier said of the perennial knockout artist on commentary.
It seemed to be two rounds apiece going into the fifth, and Gane had to take chances. He backed Ngannou up with a combination, and went for a single leg, getting him on his back. But he then made a huge mistake attacking Ngannou’s leg from top position and got swept.

Ngannou accepted the gift, and enjoyed a few more minutes of trop control to close out the round, and the fight.
The two men’s reactions at the buzzer told the story – Ngannou quickly up to his feet, arms aloft in celebration, and Gane sullenly slinking off to his corner. The scorecards backed up those visuals, with Bruce Buffer shouting “and still”.
It was, remarkably, just the 31-year-old Frenchman’s 11th professional bout, and he promised he would be back.
“I’m so sorry for today,” Gane said. “Congratulations to Francis. He did very well. I’m disappointed, I’m a little bit sad. It was a good opportunity. But I’m just arriving in this game.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC 270: Francis Ngannou shows his ‘evolution’ to beat Ciryl Gane by win unanimous decision and retain heavyweight title

Francis Ngannou leaves the Octagon after the win against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Photo: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

Francis Ngannou controls Ciryl Gane on the ground at UFC 270. Photo: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

Francis Ngannou is lifted up his coach Eric Nicksick after the UFC 270 main event against Ciryl Gane. Photo:: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

Ciryl Gane looks on after his fight against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. Photo: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

Ciryl Gane looks for a leg lock against Francis Ngannou. Photo: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

UFC 270: Francis Ngannou reacts to Dana White’s title snub after press conference no-show – ‘you’ll have to ask him’

UFC 270 heavyweight world champion Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou (C) celebrates victory over France’s Ciryl Gane after their fight for the heavyweight title at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on January 22, 2022. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Francis Ngannou reacts as Bruce Buffer reads out his introduction for the UFC 270 main event. Photo: Frederic J Brown/AFP

Ciryl Gane returns to his corner after the first round against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. Photo: Frederic J Brown/AFP

Francis Ngannou grapples with Ciryl Gane. Photo: Gary A Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

UFC 270: Deiveson Figueiredo calls for a fourth Brandon Moreno fight after regaining flyweight title in another thriller

Deiveson Figueiredo celebrates his win over Brandon Moreno at UFC 270. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil (right) exchanges punches with Brandon Moreno of Mexico at UFC 270. Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP 

Brandon Moreno leaves the Octagon after his loss to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 270. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Angela Lee fights against Istela Nunes during theor ONE atomweight title fight at Singapore Indoor Stadium on May 26, 2017. Photo: Xinhua/Then Chih Wey

Angela Lee’s arm is raised after her 2017 atomweight title win against Istela Nunes. Photo: ONE Championship

Angela Lee catches Istela Nunes in a choke. Photo: ONE Championship

UFC: Dana White defends Joe Rogan after 270 doctors put pressure on Spotify with petition

Announcer Joe Rogan reacts during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: Douglas P DeFelice/Getty Images/AFP

Dana White speaks to the media a the UFC 259 press conference. Photo: Drake Riggs

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

‘The Predator’ sees off the challenge of interim champ Gane with some slick jiu-jitsu in Anaheim
‘I put in work every day … my ground game is now evolving. I’m on another level,’ Ngannou says


UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou sees off the challenge of Ciryl Gane with some slick jiu-jitsu, earning a unanimous decision in Anaheim.


Joe Rogan