Ciryl Gane, the UFC’s heavyweight contender, picked up a critical notch in his belt. Ciryl Gane the budding UFC star? Maybe not that much.
Gane completely controlled Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a one-sided, unanimous decision win (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in the main tournament of 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 future UFC matchmaking.
“I’m not making a really big show for the fans,” Gane said in his post-fight interview. “I got a big win, so I’m really happy about that. The man was really tough. I just wanted to make it, and I did.”
No, Gane hasn’t gotten the highlights knockout going viral on social media. Nor did he fight the kind of war back and forth 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 ongoing trajectory as a legitimate prospect.
[My coach] said, “You did very well,” said Gane. “You won five rounds of five.” So yes, I am happy. I think I’ve proven something. I can do five rounds, I can do five rounds. I feel very comfortable with five rounds. “
With the win, Gane became the seventh fighter in the UFC heavyweight division to start 5-0, according to ESPN Stats & Information data. Four of the first six fighters to do so later became UFC heavyweight champions. Gane has the longest active winning streak in the UFC heavyweight division (five).
ESPN had ranked Rose Bush number 4 in the world in heavyweight, with Gane at number 8. Gane will certainly make a big jump in the rankings, but it’s unclear what that will mean in a crowded top of the division. The French hunter himself blamed Rose Bush for the lack of action.
“I expected a little more from him – more attack,” said Gane. “I was a little surprised about that.”
It might not have been edge-of-your-seat excitement, but Gane’s performance was impressive in itself. He showed poise and composure, staying on the outside, plucking Rosebush apart with long kicks against the legs and body. A few times Gane waded in with great combinations and quickly withdrew, staying away from the great power of Rosebush. But those blitzes inside were rare for Gane, who clearly wanted to be careful.
Rose bush was largely destroyed. He landed a big combination in the third and some hard left hooks here and there, but nothing mattered. Gane’s excellent kicking and distance management was the reason. It was extremely effective, even if it doesn’t necessarily incite fans to tune in to watch it next time.
The map took place with COVID-19 protocols running at the UFC Apex, a facility across the street from the UFC’s corporate campus. It was the third UFC event this month to headline a heavyweight contender.
Gane (8-0) came in as one of the top prospects in all of MMA, and this feat will take him from prospect to bona fide contender. He is now 5-0 in the UFC with three finishes. Gane, 30, took a second-round TKO win over former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at UFC 256 in December. Gane trains in France under Fernand Lopez, the former head coach of top UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou, who will battle Stipe Miocic for the title at UFC 260 on March 27.
Rozenstruik (11-2) also took a second round TKO victory over dos Santos at UFC 252 in August. The Surinamese native has won five of the seven fights in the UFC. His only career loss on Saturday came to Ngannou via knockout in May at UFC 249. Rozenstruik, 32, has 10 KO / TKO finishes in 11 career wins. He is a former champion kickboxer.