Ciryl Gane knows he’s been making some noise in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
The unbeaten prospect made his UFC debut in August and since has gone 3-0 in the company. Within that short stretch, Gane (6-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has showed off his versatility, as he’s picked up TKO, submission and decision wins. The French fighter is a growing force in the UFC’s biggest division, and it’s perhaps Gane who is more taken away by his quick rise than fans watching at home.
“It’s a great surprise,” Gane told MMA Junkie. “I’m really lucky to have three fights in five, six months. And we did well because we won all three and we had good performances with the submission, with the experience, because I won with my hands in the first fight. So yes, we are really proud with my coach, my team, my family too, and my friends, so this is good.”
Gane was scheduled to take on Shamil Abdurakhimov on April 18 at UFC 249, but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to pneumothorax – a collapsed lung.
Gane’s recovery has been going well and he expects to be ready to go in July. Despite the unfortunate injury, he knows there are certainly much bigger things to worry about right now, as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected Europe.
“This is a special time for everybody in this world, but we keep going and just take care of you, your family, respect the world, and stay at home and take it easy,” Gane said.
With an exciting style and impressive wins, Gane has caught the attention of many in the MMA world. And although there’s buzz surrounding the 29-year-old, Gane said he wants to take things slow in his rise up the ranks.
“We’re not in a rush; I just started my career in MMA,” Gane explained. “But I hope for the opportunities in my next fight, Shamil is a good opportunity for me. It’s a good test for me, it’s not to disrespect my opponents (in the past), but Shamil is No. 10. So it’s going to be a test for me, but I’m ready for this.”
Gane wants to make sure he’s not getting ahead of himself, but he also won’t deny his ambitions to one day hold gold in the UFC. He’s just willing to take his time in pursuit of his goal.
“I just want to be the best version of myself,” Gnae said. “I don’t have a target or someone I want to fight, but I hope I can fight for the belt.”
To hear more from Gane, check out the video above.
Despite quick UFC rise, Ciryl Gane in no rush to the top: 'I just started my career in MMA'
