UFC 321: Why it feels like now or never for title challenger Ciryl Gane to shake misconceptions of his game

Tom Aspinall (15-3), a 32-year-old from Salford, England, ascended to the undisputed heavyweight throne under unique circumstances. His opportunity to unify the heavyweight titles against former two-division champion Jon Jones did not materialize after Jones vacated the undisputed title due to injury, elevating Aspinall from interim to undisputed champion. This sequence of events has placed Aspinall under immediate scrutiny, tasked with validating his status as the division’s next dominant force. Despite his impressive professional record, which includes all 15 victories by stoppage, questions persist regarding Aspinall’s readiness for deep championship rounds, as he has never fought beyond the second round in his 18 professional bouts. Furthermore, his ground game and chin remain largely untested at the highest level, adding layers of anticipation to this weekend’s five-round championship contest. Aspinall enters the Etihad Arena as a significant 4-to-1 betting favorite, reflecting public and expert confidence in his abilities, but also intensifying the pressure to perform decisively.

However, the pressure is not unilaterally applied to Aspinall. Ciryl Gane (13-2), the challenger, was quick to underscore this earlier in the week. "I don’t think it’s about who has more pressure on their head and shoulders because I have the pressure, also," Gane told CBS Sports on Monday. "Every fight you have the pressure but, for the belt, there is a lot of pressure from the media and everywhere." Gane’s acknowledgment highlights the high stakes for a fighter who, despite his talent, has faced significant challenges in solidifying his position at the apex of the heavyweight division.

The current landscape of the heavyweight division has also played a role in Gane’s third opportunity at undisputed gold. With Jon Jones’s recent injury-induced hiatus and the general perception of a lack of consistently dominant contenders, the path for Gane to return to a title shot opened somewhat unexpectedly. This scenario presents a unique window for the 35-year-old French native, but it is accompanied by the prevailing sentiment among many observers that his current claim to a title challenge is tenuous, stemming more from divisional circumstances than a clear, deserving run of form.

Ciryl Gane’s journey in mixed martial arts has been both meteoric and tumultuous. A former professional Muay Thai fighter, Gane commenced his MMA training remarkably late, in 2018. Yet, within a year and only three professional fights, he debuted in the UFC. His athletic gifts, particularly his 6-foot-5 frame combined with exceptional quickness and movement for a heavyweight, immediately set him apart. Gane swiftly amassed six consecutive victories within the UFC in less than two years, culminating in a dominant performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August 2021, where he secured the interim heavyweight title via third-round technical knockout. At that juncture, "Bon Gamin" appeared poised to dominate the division for years to come.

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However, the rapid ascent also meant that Gane’s foundational MMA skills, particularly in grappling, were not as thoroughly tested as those of fighters with more extensive amateur or developmental careers. This relative inexperience, combined with the incredibly high stakes of championship contention, began to expose vulnerabilities. Gane himself reflected on this period: "I started [MMA] really late and everything looked like easy for me. When you are winning, you don’t have any questions about yourself."

Gane’s subsequent five fights over a four-year span have indeed generated considerable introspection and questions regarding his true ceiling. His unification title bout against then-undisputed champion Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022 marked a turning point. Ngannou, fighting with a severely injured knee sustained just three weeks prior, surprisingly outgrappled Gane for large portions of the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory. While the fight was competitive, it highlighted Gane’s susceptibility to strong wrestlers and grapplers, initiating the first wave of skepticism about his all-around game. The perception that Gane had failed to capitalize on Ngannou’s compromised state only amplified the questions.

Eight months later, Gane rebounded with a brutal third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night 209 in Paris, a significant victory in front of his home crowd. However, the fight was not without its moments of concern. Gane was visibly rocked by Tuivasa’s power early in the bout and, at times, was drawn into a wild, back-and-forth brawl that many felt was an unnecessary risk given his technical striking superiority. While a win, it further fueled a narrative that Gane could be lured into slugfests, exposing his chin despite his exceptional footwork and range control.

The nadir of Gane’s career came in March 2023, when he faced Jon Jones, making his highly anticipated heavyweight debut after a three-year layoff, at UFC 285. In a performance that stunned the MMA world, Jones needed just over two minutes to take Gane down and submit him with a guillotine choke, encountering virtually no resistance. This defeat was devastating not only for its swiftness but also for the manner in which Gane was dispatched, reinforcing the burgeoning perception of a significant grappling deficiency. The social media reaction and public criticism were intense. "My first loss against Ngannou, some people thought I won and it was very close, [so there was] not too much introspection," Gane recounted. "But then, when you lose to Jon Jones, you stop everything and you turn off your phone and you talk with your coach and your family because it’s really hard at first. I’m a competitor and it’s really hard to lose like that. And the social media [reaction] was really hard, also. You have to be more focused on yourself."

Six months after the definitive loss to Jones, Gane once again sought to re-establish his contender status. He delivered a dominant performance against Serghei Spivac at UFC Fight Night 226 in Paris, finishing him via second-round technical knockout. This victory, again in front of an adoring home crowd, was a crucial step in rebuilding momentum and confidence. However, the subsequent fight, a rematch against Alexander Volkov in December, concluded in a controversial split-decision victory for Gane, a result that many, including outspoken UFC CEO Dana White, publicly disagreed with, believing Volkov had done enough to win. Gane later revealed a critical factor in his performance. "I was really frustrated during this fight because I did a really good camp," Gane explained. "[But] unfortunately, I broke my foot in like the very first minute. I was very frustrated, even though I won. It was a bad sensation but I had to calm myself and enjoy it and not be too hard on myself." This revelation provided context but did little to fully dispel the lingering questions about his consistency and ability to perform under duress, particularly in controversial decision wins.

For Ciryl Gane, the UFC 321 main event against Tom Aspinall represents a definitive moment. Given his recent history of setbacks and the controversial nature of some of his wins, it is widely understood that a third loss in an undisputed title fight within three years would likely relegate him from the immediate championship picture for an extended period, if not permanently. This pressure, however, appears to have fueled Gane’s resolve. He states that the constant negativity from media and fans regarding his perceived weaknesses, particularly his ground game, has only intensified his commitment to improvement.

"People like to say I am not good in my ground game but I lost just one time [because of it] and it was against Jon Jones," Gane stated. "Trust me, I did this mistake [once] but I won’t do this mistake again. I have more wins [because of] my ground game than losses. People like to underestimate me on my ground game but I was never, never afraid to go to the ground." This declaration suggests a focused effort to address past deficiencies and to challenge the prevailing narrative.

The tactical considerations for UFC 321 are complex. While many pundits assume Gane’s best path to victory involves neutralizing Aspinall’s explosive striking and powerful hands early, aiming to extend the fight into the later championship rounds where Aspinall remains unproven, Gane himself disputes this singular approach. "I can do both," Gane affirmed. "I can fight him like a dog in the very first round and I also can do [it] over five rounds. I’m not going to explain my tactic or gameplan but I can do both. Whatever is going to happen, I’m going to present and I’m ready for it. [Aspinall] is a very good fighter but me too, me too."

Gane’s background in team sports such as soccer and basketball has endowed him with exceptional athleticism and conditioning, qualities that are often rare in the heavyweight division. Furthermore, heavyweights typically have longer career longevity, and Gane’s relatively late entry into MMA, only seven years ago, suggests potential for continued growth and development behind the scenes, despite his high-profile losses.

UFC 321 is not merely another title fight for Ciryl Gane; it is an opportunity to silence critics, validate his potential, and finally establish himself as an undisputed champion. His recent history paints a picture of a fighter at a "now or never" juncture for his title aspirations, yet Gane projects a readiness to prove his detractors wrong. "For me, if I get this win, I’m going to be really grateful about my life and the experience," Gane concluded. "I think this is the way you have to do to be a real champion. I have a lot of experience and I learned a lot during my disappointment against Jon Jones and we have fixed it. We are really prepared for this fight in every department, mentally and physically. That’s why I am really happy for this fight." The stage is set for a pivotal encounter that will undoubtedly reshape the heavyweight landscape and define the trajectory of Ciryl Gane’s career.

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