DECRYPTAGE – Fifteen months after his last fight, “Bon Gamin” returns to the most prestigious cage in the world. Here are 5 things to know before your fight.
462 days without fighting. An eternity. Fifteen months after his demonstration against Serghei Spivac during the second UFC Paris, Ciryl Gane (34 years old) made his comeback on the night of Saturday to Sunday at UFC 310 against Russian fighter Alexander Volkov.
Since September 2023, the MMA media landscapes in France and around the world have evolved significantly. “Bon Gamin” was the victim of a torrent of criticism. Benoît Saint-Denis has become the new darling of the French public. Jon Jones consolidated his position as champion of the heavyweight category. And the possibilities of ascension for Ciryl Gane have reduced. This fight, against an opponent he has already faced, must reestablish “Bon Gamin” among the first contenders for the title.
Why was the wait so long?
Last September, however, the path seemed clear towards a new fight for the world title. After an XXL performance against Serghei Spivac at UFC Paris 2, Ciryl Gane wanted to take the “ shortest path for the belt “. Even if it means snubbing the advances of the British Tom Aspinall, who came to Paris to challenge the Frenchman.
However, luck never presented itself for Ciryl Gane. On the one hand because the fight between the two legends Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has been postponed from November 2023 to November 2024. On the other hand because the UFC has decided, in the meantime, to put a championship belt at stake interim, without Ciryl Gane, between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich. The Briton who also became champion therefore logically passed the Frenchman in the UFC rankings.
Also read
MMA: “I’ll see you in September,” Gane responds to Tom Aspinall for future fight
And the icing on the cake, “Bon Gamin” was forced to refuse a fight against Aspinall last July, due to the filming of a film. « With the UFC, we had chosen dates to shoot a film. I gave the opportunity to speak with productionsays the French fighter during the press conference. They deduced that it was going to cost a lot of money. So the fight didn't happen, it's a shame. » The house of cards collapsed in a few months for Ciryl Gane. Passed from first to second on the waiting list to face the champion, the Frenchman was champing at the bit until his return for UFC 310 was made official this Saturday.
Who is Alexander Volkov, the opponent of “Bon Gamin”?
2.01m. 2.03m wingspan. 48 fights, including 38 victories. Russian Alexander Volkov is an old hand on the international scene. Professional at just 21 years old, “Drago” arrived in the most prestigious organization in 2016. The same year, Ciryl Gane made his professional debut in… muay-thai.
If I have good timing, maybe I'll take it to the ground
Ciryl Gane
Although he has arrived in the top 5 of the category on multiple occasions, the Russian's rise has been slowed down by numerous defeats against title contenders, such as Derrick Lewis in 2018, Ciryl Gane already in 2021 or even Tom Aspinall in 2022. Today, aged 36, Volkov now seems to have reached the top of his game, ranking third among heavyweights. For him, Saturday evening will be much more than a revenge but a real chance to finally move up in the UFC.
-In terms of fighting style, the Russian takes advantage of his slender physique and his past as a karateka by being very comfortable in the punching and kicking phases. His acquired experience also allows him to master each specialty of mixed martial arts. As proof, last September, the Russian won against Tai Tuivasa following a strangulation. A faculty not to be underestimated but which does not cool Ciryl Gane. “ In the first fight, I had timings (to take Volkov into wrestling, editor’s note). I felt that it was solid and that I was going to expend energy. There if I have good timing, maybe I will take it to the ground. »
Also read
Provincial audiences, raids on the best young people, dates in Europe… How Hexagone MMA is becoming the first French league
Why isn't the fight on the poster?
Gane-Ngannou; Gane-Jones; UFC Paris. The organization had accustomed us to centering the communication of events around the French fighter. In total, Ciryl Gane has headlined the last seven events he has taken part in. We have to go back to December 2020 to note the absence of the Frenchman from the two central battles of the events, which we call main-event. Small surprise therefore when the event was announced, the Gane-Volkov fight does not appear among the two headlining meetings.
The UFC thus places the meeting between the third and seventh of the welterweights (Rakhmonov-Garry) before that between the number 2 and number 3 of the heavyweights. An anecdotal choice? Perhaps a symbol of the loss of enthusiasm around Ciryl Gane during her hiatus.
What strategy did the French clan choose?
The tone is set by Ciryl Gane himself, who intends to resume the recital of technique, vivacity and dynamics that he inflicted on Alexander Volkov three years ago. With the only difference that this time “Bon Gamin” wishes “finish» his opponent before the limit of three rounds. « Whether standing or on the ground, I would like to win the fight before the end”he said during the press conference.
Also read
XXL events, TV broadcasts and a thriving ecosystem… The very lucrative business of MMA in France
Faced with the criticism that has developed about him, Ciryl Gane wishes to respond with a show in the Las Vegas cage. Without, however, persisting in proving its worth to the spectators. “ I'm not in the mindset of telling myself that I have to prove things to people. I am focused on the fact that I want to win my fight in style. »
Ciryl Gane, next contender for the title if he wins?
If Ciryl Gane looks behind him in the rankings when facing Alexander Volkov on Saturday, it is also because in front of him Tom Aspinall (interim champion) and Jon Jones (champion) are not prepared to face him for the moment. The first only wanting to confront the second. The second most tempted by a fight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
A real headache, in which the Ciryl Gane parameter will be added on Saturday in the event of victory because the Frenchman would once again have the legitimacy to request a fight for a belt. “ It's a bit of a semi-final (before the title, editor's note). If I win, we will talk about a next fight against Tom Aspinall », even affirmed Ciryl Gane at a press conference. An equation with three unknowns, which could once again block the situation at the top of the heavyweight rankings. Unless a Franco-British duel is the only solution.
