'Game changer': UFC stunned after 'flawless' heavyweight fight
The UFC world witnessed a masterclass as Cyril Gane won the interim heavyweight title after outclassing hometown favourite Derrick Lewis.
Gane ran his record to 10-0 with a near-flawless performance, stopping the mammoth hometown hero at 4:11 of the third to become the UFC interim heavyweight champion.
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His next bout should be a unification against champion Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou won the title — the real title, the only title that matters — when he knocked out Stipe Miocic in the second round on March 27.
But when Ngannou said he wouldn’t be ready to fight Lewis in August, the UFC created an interim belt.
While there was plenty of hype around Lewis and his one-punch knockout power, it was Gane who stopped the hometown star.
FRANCE STAND UP 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 @Ciryl_Gane #AndNew #UFC265 pic.twitter.com/HCW0mgnpEp
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2021
Gane wasn't coy in the build-up to the fight and was open about his game plan to stick on the outside and work away at Lewis.
And that is exactly what he did.
Jabs, kicks and slick movement was too much for the static Lewis.
He just took a series of leg kicks until he couldn’t take it any more and he was backed against the cage, doubled over.
When he did, Gane was on him in an instant and finished him brutally.
Lewis was on his hands and knees, desperately covering his head, and Gane rained punches from the top.
Fans hype-up Francis Ngannou v Cyril Gane
The win set-up an intriguing match with Cameroon's Ngannou.
Fans went wild at the Frenchman's 'flawless' masterclass and can't wait for the anticipated unification bout to take place (most likely later this year).
Flawless performance @ciryl_gane 👏👏👏. #UFC265
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) August 8, 2021
Flawless. Ciryl Gane is a legit problem for Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones. He’s a real player here. And he’s likely only getting better. Ngannou vs. Gane will be must-see.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 8, 2021
Francis has a lot of hype around him because of his insane power and the manner in which he's finished his last few fights, but Gane is a PROBLEM.
If I had to bet on it today, I'd honestly favor Gane in the unification because of that movement. It's a total game changer.— Chris Correa (@ChrisCorrea15) August 8, 2021
Recency bias at its finest. As good as Gane just looked, beating Stipe the way Ngannou did to win the title was significantly more impressive than this Lewis win. Game has as good a chance as anyway, but still can't see anyone beating this current version of Francis. #UFC265T https://t.co/sqF0KlL38T
— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) August 8, 2021
Sheesh. #UFC265
Derrick Lewis kept getting his legs kicked underneath him. Also his eye was bothering him. Underwhelming main event. Giryl Gane is good. pic.twitter.com/ppgXPQA3RK— Jordan Turner (@JTTakeover) August 8, 2021
Cyril Gane is the real deal. Big fan over here! That was a clinic #UFC265
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) August 8, 2021
Six weeks ago, Gane fought Alexander Volkov for 25 minutes — absorbed 115 strikes.
He looks fresh as a daisy after knocking out Derrick Lewis at #UFC265.
It wouldn’t surprise if it’s a fall turnaround for that heavyweight unification bout vs Francis Ngannou.— Phil Murphy (@Phil_Sports) August 8, 2021
Derrick Lewis gets behind in a lot of his fights and comes back. This is a fight where he can not get behind . Gane is a killer & the new era of MMA ! #UFC265
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 8, 2021
Gane vs. Ngannou is a fight that is so polarizing and I have absolutely no idea what would happen there. Not going to try to make an early prediction or anything other than FIREWORKS, but one thing is for certain, Ngannou will not fight Gane like Lewis did. #UFC265
— No Brainer MMA (@NoBrainerMMA) August 8, 2021
Derrick Lewis attempted to use his strategy of looking for the one big shot. And he was completely outclassed. At just 10-0 in MMA (7-0 in UFC), Ciryl Gane holds UFC gold...(bullshit interim gold but still)#UFC265
— Tom Albano (@thomasjalbano) August 8, 2021
Ngannou was watching the fight and signalled his intention to take down the Frenchman next.
Impressive performance from Gane !
He's now a legit contender.
See you soon boy. When you know you know. #ufc265— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) August 8, 2021
with Kevin Iole - Yahoo Sport US
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