Ciryl Gane enjoying pressure as star of the show on UFC Paris road to redemption

Ciryl Gane is feeling the pressure before UFC Paris – because he knows he is 'the guy' in French MMA.

The heavyweight contender, once an aspiring footballer before switching sports, slipped to an early submission defeat against Jon Jones earlier this year in his second shot at the title and now has redemption on the brain.

Five months after the first stoppage defeat of his career 'Bon Gamin', 33, takes on surging heavyweight Sergey Spivak (16-3) this Saturday in a bid to defend his #2 ranking – and is welcoming the pressure on home soil.

Speaking to Daily Star Sport, Gane (11-2) said: "I don't like the word star, but I'm the guy in France and I always represent my country at a high level. I'm proud of my team and my family.

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"That does put more pressure on me but I'm really happy to be in front of my own people."

Gane bounced back from a first career defeat against Francis Ngannou in 2022 with a stoppage of Tai Tuivasa at the Accor Arena last September, the first ever UFC event in France after a ban on the sport was lifted.

Gane knows that a similar highlight reel stoppage will keep his name fresh in the minds of UFC matchmakers with Jones putting the title on the line against former champion Stipe Miocic in November.

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Gane said of his upcoming rival, who has put together three wins in a row since losing to Tom Aspinall: "He's really dangerous and well rounded, but he's not spectacular, he's hasn't got huge knockouts so people don't see him as that dangerous – but he is.

"He can do takedowns, and strike well, this is a good opponent for me.

"I'm always focussing on the next step and that is Spivak at UFC Paris, but I always have eyes on the belt."

The time for talking is almost over as KSI and Tommy Fury will bury their rivarly once and for all as they face off in Manchester on Saturday, October 14th. Logan Paul will also be fighting at the event in front of what is expected to be a sell-out crowd.

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The raucous atmosphere at the Accor Arena was discussed by the Gane and Tuivasa during their main event at the venue last year – and the victor isn't sure an improvement is possible.

He concluded: "It will be really hard to be better. But to have the same audience, the same feeling and the same atmosphere. That's what I'm hoping for."

Elsewhere on the card, home favourite Manon Fiorot takes on former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at flyweight, with Benoit Saint-Denis and Thiago Moises facing off at lightweight.

Watch UFC Paris in the UK on TNT Sports on Saturday September 2, with coverage of the prelims getting underway at 6pm and the main card from 8pm.

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