LAS VEGAS – Ciryl Gane is solely centered on Saturday’s UFC 310 rematch with Alexander Volkov, and never the present drama within the heavyweight division.
Gane (12-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) had minimal curiosity in discussing the continuing hypothesis about whether or not a title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall will occur throughout Wednesday’s media day, and stored relaying focus again to the matchup with Volkov (38-10 MMA, 12-4 UFC).
The reserving of a second struggle between Gane and Volkov, which takes place at T-Cellular Area (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+), got here as a shock to some. Gane gained a lopsided unanimous choice of their preliminary assembly at UFC Combat Evening 190 in June 2021, however he thinks the present circumstances made it logical.
“No, it’s not a shock,” Gane informed MMA Junkie and different reporters. “This struggle is sensible. He’s simply above me (within the rankings), in order that’s fully regular. In entrance of me is Jones and Tom, and I don’t know precisely what’s going to occur. So this is sensible.”
Within the greater than three years which have handed since they final met within the octagon, Gane is 2-2 with title-fight losses to Jones and Francis Ngannou. Volkov, in the meantime, is 5-1, along with his lone blemish coming in opposition to Aspinall.
Though it could seem on paper that Volkov has the sting in momentum, Gane hasn’t seen a lot in the way in which of evolution. It doesn’t imply the struggle performs out the very same manner because it did earlier than, however in the long run, the particular person having their hand raised will by an identical.
“I didn’t see something particular in his final struggle,” Gane mentioned. “I noticed, not precisely the identical as a result of he’s a excessive degree of putting, however I noticed the identical man.
“No, it’s going to be completely different. It’s fully completely different, as a result of this time will probably be three rounds. The final time it was 5. That’s completely different. So no, it will likely be completely different.”
The sequel between the Frenchman and the Russian is about as high-stakes because it heavyweight with no belt on the road. How the scenario with Jones and Aspinall performs out stays to be seen, however the winner at UFC 310 will probably be a key participant in the way forward for the load class.
“At today Jones is the champion, Tom is the interim champion – that’s it.” Gane mentioned. “It’s like a semifinal (for a title shot), yeah, a bit bit.”
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