Ciryl Gane vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov in the works for UFC 249
A heavyweight matchup is in the works for UFC 249.
The promotion is working on a fight that would pit heavy hitters Ciryl Gane and Shamil Abdurakhimov against each other April 18.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie on Thursday after an initial report from La Sueur. The person asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an announcement.
One of MMA Junkie’s “20 fighters who could become stars in the 2020s,” Gane (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) won three fights in his first four months with the promotion. Bringing a kickboxing background with him to MMA, Gane has proven to be more than a striker. The Frenchman already has picked up two submission victories inside the octagon.
As for Abdurakhimov (20-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), the Russian fighter has won four of his last five fights. However, his most recent outing was a loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 242 in September.
UFC 249 takes place April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected for ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
With the addition, the UFC 249 lineup now includes:
- Champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson – for lightweight title
- Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
- Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
- Ben Rothwell vs. Gian Villante
- Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
- Calvin Kattar vs. Jeremy Stephens
- Ciryl Gane vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov