Gane Ready To Smash JDS, Challenge Ngannou

Undefeated heavyweight bruiser Ciryl Gane is just a few days away from the biggest fight of his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, a pay-per-view (PPV) showdown opposite former 265-pound champion Junior dos Santos at UFC 256.

A win over “Cigano” this weekend at APEX in Las Vegas will likely send “Bon Gamin” directly into the Top 10 of the division. And while knockout artist Francis Ngannou is already on his way to another heavyweight title shot, Gane will be ready for “The Predator.”

“I think now, the division for me, if I win against Junior, it’s going to be really close in the Top 10,” Gane told The Bash. “You understand it. We can’t avoid it. Everybody knows the strength of Francis is the power. I move a lot, I have the footwork, you understand? This is a good match up.”

The 30 year-old Gane (6-0) previously trained with Ngannou in Paris but does not have a personal relationship with “The Predator” and was not part of the behind-the-scenes drama between Ngannou and coach Fernand Lopez.

In addition, talk of a potential Ngannou fight may be premature with a veteran striker like Dos Santos looking to blast his way back into title contention. And Gane may still have to contend with some of the other big names at heavyweight, like Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis, and Curtis Blaydes, who all sit far above him in the 265-pound rankings.