Given heavyweight fighters Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou in the cage, few would have bet on a fight with no knockout and so many wrestling moves on the ground.
After five rounds and a very tight and certainly less spectacular fight than fans had hoped for, Cameroonian Ngannou added a 17th victory to his record (against 3 defeats), handing Ciryl Gane his first defeat in 11 fights by unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
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The Frenchman got off to a better start, varying his shots and benefiting from better cage mobility. He landed a few back kicks, including one to the neck that was well taken by his opponent, as well as full-face jabs.
Francis Ngannou, frustrated by the fact that he was trailing in points, found a solution in the third round, in a register that was not necessarily his: taking the ground.
He flipped Gane in the air and tackled him to the ground, falling on it with all his weight in response to a high kick from Gane (115 kg). Certainly, the public’s perception of this fight.
Ngannou knocked the Frenchman to the ground several times, using his strength to exhaust him rather than striking him violently with his fists, which is his usual strong point. In the fourth round, Gane attempted to counter with an armbar, but it did not last long enough.
Tout le monde attendez des grosses patates et au finale #Ngannou a surpris tout le monde !!! Au sol incroyable #NgannouGaneRMC #NgannouGane pic.twitter.com/jTZ2hrFhkb
— 👑AnthonyJ7👑 (@Prince_7Jr) January 23, 2022
In the final round, the two fighters alternated lying on the ground and standing, each taking over the other until exhaustion and the final seconds. Ngannou thus finished stronger in the eyes of Gane, who had recognized his defeat at the giant.
The “Predator’s” experience and power made the difference against the “Good Kid’s” envy, who was “sorry” and very disappointed after the confrontation.
🗣️💬 “Francis a fait exactement ce qu’il devait faire pour me battre. Il y a beaucoup de frustration”
Ciryl Gane réagit à notre micro après sa défaite pour le titre. #NgannouGaneRMC pic.twitter.com/UaHpZmSnJc
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 23, 2022
This clash between two fighters who knew each other well enough to both come from the MMA Factory, the factory of champions located in Paris, was announced as one of the biggest clashes in the history of the UFC, the world’s largest mixed martial arts league.
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⚡️ Le respect avant tout ! Un grand bravo à ces deux grands combattants. #NgannouGaneRMC pic.twitter.com/5NgWAXZfQr
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 23, 2022
But, ten months after seizing the world champion belt from American Stipe Miocic, who was then knocked out unceremoniously under his punches, Ngannou has proven that he is still the best pugilist at 35 years old.
It’s obvious that 31-year-old Gane found the mountain too difficult to climb, but the future belongs to someone who only began competing in MMA in 2018.
