UFC Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa Believes Loss to Francis Ngannou Was a Minor Setback in Hopes for Potential Interim Title Fight
Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane spoke to MMA Junkie and expressed an interest in once again holding the interim title on route to yet another unification bout. ‘Bon Gamin’ is set to headline the UFC’s debut show in Paris’ Accor Arena in September as he’ll stand toe-to-toe against Tai Tuivasa.
Over two years ago, this fight wasn’t on the cards, however, Tuivasa’s demolition of Derrick Lewis changed the trajectory of his career and made him an elite competitor. In fact, Ciryl Gane is convinced that a win over Tuivasa will jumpstart his position in the UFC, allowing him to face the winner of a potential Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic fight for an interim title.
Ciryl Gane doesn’t believe his loss to Francis Ngannou set him back
‘Bon Gamin’ doesn’t view his defeat to Ngannou at UFC 270 as a limiting factor in his UFC run. He’s confident that a win over Tai Tuivasa will open the doors back to the title picture.
“I think if I win against Tuivasa, I think it’s gonna be a fight for the interim title against the winner of the next fight for the interim title,” Gane told MMA Junkie. “So this (loss to Ngannou) put me a little bit back, but this put me more challenge, so I’m OK.”
“I’m a competitor, so I like that. That’s OK because some people say but you just lost like that (signals close fight) with Francis, you must have a revenge for the big belt and I said, ‘No, I’m OK with that.’
Gane certainly recognizes the high level of competition that the heavyweight division has to offer, yet is comfortable with the way things are playing out.
“It’s really complicated at the moment with this division. There are a lot of people in the top five and I think for the UFC to manage that it’s a little bit complicated so I can understand the UFC’s plan and I’m OK with that.” [h/t mmajunkie.com]
Ciryl Gane has shown that he’s a major player in the division and will continue to press forward towards being the champion. His defeat in January’s UFC title unification bout was merely a roadblock on his path to greatness.
