“Everything is aligned”: at 36, Ciryl Gane wants to confirm his status as MMA boss by facing Josh Hokit

MMA fans around the world are holding their breath. On the night of Saturday November 14 to Sunday November 15, the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York is hosting a major meeting with several big names in this growing combat sport. Two world championships are notably on the program: that of the women's bantamweight, between the American Kayla Harrison and the Brazilian Amanda Nunes, and that of the heavyweight, between the Frenchman Ciryl Gane, title holder, and his American challenger Josh Hokit. The Frenchman is the favorite to defend his UFC world champion belt, the main MMA organization in the world.

This week, in New York, during the traditional face-to-face between the two candidates for the title, Ciryl Gane remained calm in the face of Josh Hokit's strong provocations, as is done before major boxing fights. It's one of the personality traits of the "Bon Gamin", the Frenchman's nickname on the circuit: "I really like to highlight the values ​​of martial arts and life in general. It's my character, starting with my nickname, which is not at all terrifying."

Because Ciryl Gane prefers to respond as a fighter, with the strengths of a very complete athlete. “He’s really typically the prototype of the boy who could have played American football or basketball in another life,” explains Aldric Cassata, recognized MMA coach in France. “He has a level of athleticism far above the rest of the 38 or 40 heavyweights who make up the UFC,” he explains.

“One of the most beautiful champions today”

At 36 years old, Ciryl Gane also appears to be in the prime of life for this discipline, continues Julien Brondani, editor-in-chief of Karate Bushido, which covers the discipline. “He arrived at the right time with his physical qualities and his human qualities. I think he is one of the most beautiful champions we have ever seen at the moment.” The Frenchman himself believes that he has reached a stage of maturity which allows him to better master his subject. “Everything is aligned, we feel good, we have reached a stage of maturity with the team, with everything that surrounds me, my lifestyle, the sacrifices that I can make, the experience that I have been able to accumulate. I think that it is a stage of maturity that makes me who I am today,” he explains.

Ciryl Gane should not be paralyzed by the public at Madison Square Garden, believes Alexandre Herbinet, specialist on the YouTube channel "Jab Life". Last June, the Frenchman perfectly managed another world-class fight, at the White House. “He had times in the past where, in big events, he took a little pressure. And now, in fact, he faced a lot of big names in big shows.”

“I don’t think at all that being at Madison Square Garden is going to add any extra pressure to him.”

Alexandre Herbinet

“I think that on the contrary, he must like it a lot, since he, in addition, is a former basketball player and basketball lover. So, being in the New York Knicks room, I think it will galvanize him more than slow him down,” he concludes. Ciryl Gane is also the first Frenchman to present himself as the “undisputed” holder of the UFC world champion belt, according to a term specific to MMA.