Ciryl Gane Record: 14-2-0

Rise to interim champion

Gane's ascent accelerated in 2020 and 2021. He stopped former champion Junior dos Santos by second-round TKO at UFC 256, then strung together decision wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov to put himself in title contention. In August 2021 at UFC 265 he captured the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship with a third-round TKO of Derrick Lewis, the marquee win of his early career.

Title fights and resurgence

The unification bout came at UFC 270 in January 2022, where former training partner Francis NGannou outwrestled Gane to a unanimous decision — his first professional loss. Gane rebounded with a highlight third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa at a Paris event, earning another title shot. That opportunity, against Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023, ended in a first-round guillotine submission loss. Gane regrouped again, stopping Serghei Spivac by second-round TKO and edging Volkov in a split-decision rematch at UFC 310. His October 2025 heavyweight title bout against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321 was ruled a no contest. Per Combat Edge records, Gane then scored a second-round TKO over Alex Pereira.

Fighting style

Gane is among the most skilled pure strikers in heavyweight history, a 6'5" mover who fights at range with feints, angles and crisp combinations rather than raw power-punching. His 14-2 record carries a 71% finish rate, with seven knockouts and three submissions that reveal an underrated grappling and submission game for a man his size. His footwork lets him pick opponents apart and avoid damage, but both of his losses — the wrestling-heavy defeat to NGannou and the early guillotine against Jones — came against elite grapplers who closed the distance and tested his takedown defense and scrambling under pressure.

Career highlights

• Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion — stopped Derrick Lewis by third-round TKO at UFC 265 to claim interim gold.
• Knockout of Tai Tuivasa in Paris — rebounded from his first loss with a third-round KO in front of a roaring home crowd, reasserting himself as a top contender.
• Elite finishing rate — a 71% finish rate with seven KOs and three submissions, rare versatility for a heavyweight known primarily for his footwork and striking.