Ciryl Gane, the UFC weightlifting competitor, took a critical notch in his belt. Ciryl Gane, the rising UFC star? Maybe not so much.
Gane completely controlled Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a unilateral, unanimous victory (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in the main event of the UFC Fight Night, on Saturday, in Las Vegas. But a lack of aggression and his conservative strategy could work against Gane when it comes to the upcoming UFC match.
“I don’t do a very big show for fans,” Gane said in his post-fight interview. “I made a big profit, so I’m very happy about that. The guy was very tough. I just wanted to do it and I did it.”
No, Gane failed to eliminate the role that will go viral on social networks. He didn’t even engage in the kind of back and forth war that could make him a box office favorite. But he remained undefeated in the UFC against one of the best heavyweights in the world, showing his continued trajectory as a legitimate prospect.
With the win, Gane became the seventh fighter in the UFC weight division to start 5-0, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Four of the first six wrestlers to do so became UFC heavyweight champions. Gane has the longest active winning streak in the UFC weight division (five).
Entering, ESPN placed Rozenstruik in 4th place in the world in the heavyweight category, with Gane in 8th place. Gane will certainly make a big leap in the standings, but it is not clear what that will mean in a crowded top of the division. The French fighter himself blamed part of Rozenstruik for the lack of action.
“I was expecting something more from him – more attacks,” Gane said. “I was a little surprised by that.”
There may not have been an enthusiasm on the edge of the place, but Gane’s performance was impressive in itself. He looked calm and calm, staying outside and separating Rozenstruik with long kicks to his legs and body. Several times, Gane came in with great combinations and quickly withdrew, staying away from Rozenstruik’s great power. But those flashes inside were few and far between for Gane, who clearly wanted to be careful.
Rozenstruik was largely canceled. He landed a great combination in the third and a few hard left hooks here and there, but nothing was significant. Gane’s excellent excess and space management was the reason. It was extremely effective, even if it won’t necessarily excite the fans to tune in to watch it next time.
The card took place with the COVID-19 protocols adopted at UFC Apex, a facility opposite the UFC corporate campus. It was the third UFC event of the month, with a heavyweight title.
Gane (8-0) came as one of the best clients in all of MMA, and this performance will take him from a perspective to a bona fide competitor. He is now 5-0 in the UFC with three finishes. Gane, 30, would win a second round in winning the TKO against former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at UFC 256 in December. Gane is training in France under Fernand Lopez, the former head coach of the UFC heavyweight competitor Francis Ngannou, who will fight Stipe Miocic for the UFC 260 title on March 27.
Rozenstruik (11-2) would also win a TKO victory in the second round over Dos Santos at UFC 252 in August. The Suriname native has won five of seven UFC fights. His only career loss before Saturday came against Ngannou in the playoffs in May at UFC 249. Rozenstruik, 32, has 10 KOs / TKOs in 11 career wins. He is a former kickboxer champion.