SUMMARY
- The UFC has booked Ciryl Gane to fight against Alexander Volkov at UFC 308.
- Fans are disappointed that Gane isn't fighting in Paris or against Jailton Almeida.
Ciryl Gane was a rising star in the UFC and defeated some of the best heavyweights in the promotion since being signed in 2019. The French superstar has proven himself as a top-tier martial artist over the years defeating opponents like Alexander Volkov, Sergei Spivac, and Derrick Lewis.
Within three years of his entry, Gane managed to earn a title shot against the former heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. Unfortunately, the champion dominated the challenger on the ground and almost made him look like a rookie in the sport. After Ngannou left, Gane fought Jon Jones for the vacant title after coming off a victory over Tai Tuivasa. Jones won the fight via submission. And since fighting Spivac in September 2023, Gane has been missing.
Fans react to Ciryl Gane accepting a second fight against Alexander Volkov
Ciryl Gane initially claimed that he would return to the UFC in September to fight on the Paris card. For one, Jailton Almeida has been calling out the former interim heavyweight champion to a fight. While many of us expected Dana White and the UFC matchmakers to schedule a fight between these two, Gane was recently announced to fight Volkov for a second time at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
Fans were quite confused as to why Gane would take up another lopsided matchup and not return to headline the Paris fight card. One fan said, “I really don’t understand this fight and why it’s not happening in Paris. Dropped the ball.” Another fan added, “Shocked he’s not fighting in Paris.” Right now, it doesn’t make sense that Gane is fighting Volkov after staying away form the promotion for an entire year.
Weird booking and why not in Paris @ufc
— Jake Camargo (@ricoj3323) July 12, 2024
Shocked hes not fighting in paris
— The Fight Lab (@The_FightLab) July 12, 2024
Didn’t bro literally just say he’ll be there for Paris in September lmfao
— $toned (@LowkeyStoned_) July 12, 2024
I really don’t understand this fight and why it’s not happening in Paris. Dropped the ball @ufc
— Jake Camargo (@ricoj3323) July 12, 2024
Why is this not the main event for Paris…..
— CalvinDomin (@DominCalvin) July 12, 2024
While Volkov is waiting for the winner of the Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes fight, the UFC should’ve given Gane a fight against Almeida to create a sense of competition at least. Fans believe that Bon Gamin is steering away from wrestling to avoid losing like he did against Jones.
Why hasn’t Bon Gamin fought since September 2023?
With UFC 308 scheduled to take place in October, it would make a year since Ciryl Gane last stepped into the octagon. Sources claim that the Muay Thai fighter is currently acting in a movie which is going through its filming process. Gane has received a lot of criticism over this along with accusations of him avoiding to fight the top athletes in his division.
Perhaps this was an offer that he couldn’t refuse, but it doesn’t mean that Gane should give up on his position as one of the best heavyweights in the UFC. Even Daniel Cormier was surprised that Gane didn’t recognise the magnitude of what he could’ve done had he accepted a fight and won against Aspinall earlier while filming.