UFC 270: Relive the face-to-face clash between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane (video)

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A few hours before the long-awaited MMA Factory shock, boxers Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou held a press conference during which the tension rose a notch.

The ‘interim’ heavyweight belt holder, Ciryl Gane, will face the official belt holder, Francis Ngannou. A fight that has only been in ink for a few days. “It’s one of the most important fights of the year and even without a doubt in the history of the UFC”, thus summed up to AFP Lawrence Epstein, general manager of the most important professional league in the world. .

On the occasion of the press conference on Wednesday January 19, the Cameroonian announced the color for the fight against Gane which he considers “not more important than the others” and which he assures that it “will end in a KO in the 2nd round”.

The Frenchman on the contrary considers that this meeting is “the most important” of his career, while showing a rather disconcerting relaxation. “The fight is highly anticipated. It’s a bit special, strange and funny at the same time. I appreciate knowing that I am arousing so much enthusiasm, but it is also a surprise for me, since I am very new in this world, ”he explained to AFP.

Tension escalates

During this press conference, the Cameroonian launched a first pike to test the temperament of his opponent. Ngannou claims he knocked out Gane in a sparring session in 2019 when the pair were partners at the MMA Factory.

“Sorry, I said that. Yes I knocked him out. Dirty. High Kick. High Kick left leg. You fell to the ground Ciryl and then you left our training session”, assures Francis Ngannou. Words that made the French react: “No, it’s not the truth! Honestly, we did some very high quality sparring with Francis. At one point, he made a very nice left kick and… You hurt me. You see I’m being honest with you, you hurt me. But you absolutely did not send me to the ground”. While the “Pretador” persists and claims to be right, Gane replies: “You don’t respect me, you lie to people!”.

At the end of the conference, the subject returned to the table. Both fighters found themselves standing for the one-on-one with UFC boss Dana White. It is then that Ngannou confides in Gane. “No matter what you think, I respect you. You don’t have to let that get into your head. We will give each other war on Saturday, but I respect you, ”he says.

Before really measuring themselves in the cage, the two had indeed crossed paths for a few training sessions, three years ago, within the MMA Factory, the factory for champions located in Paris and co-founded by Fernand Lopez, who has cornered one and now coaches the second. They had crossed paths again in November 2021 in the halls of the octagon of the Honda Center in Anaheim, Los Angeles… where -the Cameroonian Pretador- passed in front of the French “Bon Gamin”… without looking at him or addressing him the slightest word.

A last fight for Francis Ngannou?

The Cameroonian will see his contract with the UFC come to an end after this fight, with no guarantee of being extended. Because he feels that he is not being paid his fair value, which strains his relationship with Dana White.

Also, he expressed the desire to turn to English boxing, which offers higher fees. Tyson Fury, WBC heavyweight champion, did not wait to challenge him on social networks.

“Him boxing Fury? His power means that anything could happen. But he should rather worry about what will happen on Saturday evening. This is one of the problems when you start to disperse. Let him focus on Ciryl Gane, who is up and hungry,” White advised him.

On the night of Saturday to Sunday January 23 at 4:00 a.m., Francis Ngannou will try to protect his title against Frenchman Ciryl Gane during UFC 270 in the octagon of the Honda Center in Anaheim in Los Angeles.





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