It was 1:40 a.m. when Ciryl Gane, still dripping with sweat and with a bandaged hand, entered the Accor Arena press room. A little over an hour earlier, the French had beaten the Australian Tai Tuivasa by KO in the third round. A fight that has already gone down in history as the main event – the main fight – of the first evening organized in France by the UFC, the biggest MMA league in the world. The UFC which, just before Gane took the floor, has already promised to return to France very quickly.
How do you feel after this evening?
CIRYL GANE. I am so happy, with the evening, with the event, with the reception of the crowd. I’m a little injured in the hand. I felt it during the fight. Something broke but that’s okay, it’s part of my job.
Did Tuivasa really get you in trouble?
Yes, he is really a very good fighter who pushed me far. Congratulations to him because to make a good fight, it takes two. I have a lot of respect for him.
How did you find the loophole to beat him?
I worked it everywhere. I did a lot of undermining, went after him physically and went into warrior mode when he got me in trouble. I ended up wearing it down and dropping it.
In the cage, did you feel that this evening was special?
Sure. It was historic from the start to see my name on the bill for this historic evening. I still admit to having been under a little pressure over the last few hours. I asked myself “If I lose at home, what will we think? » There were so many expectations that at some point, the pressure mounted a bit, even though I’m not usually subject to that.
What brought you such a special atmosphere?
Only positive: I’m so happy to see people happy. My relatives got into the cage after the fight, which would never have happened outside of Paris. I also saw that the UFC seemed happy with the public reaction. I even think the UFC people were surprised by it, in a good way and good.
You joked in the cage, why?
Yes, for a moment I said to Tai “don’t make me laugh, I didn’t touch you in the games…”. It was pretty cool, right? Yet it was a tough fight that people must have loved. He touched me, he hurt me. However, I didn’t have time to worry. Even when he was dangerous. In the end, I think everyone is happy: me and all the fans.
Francis Ngannou applauded you, did that surprise you?
We are not “friendly” but he said “good luck” to me after the weigh-in. We have seen each other several times over the past few days. He is very respectful and I really want to face him again. The last time in January, I was not far to take the world champion belt from him so I obviously really want to go back.
Was it difficult to bounce back from the defeat in January?
Not being invincible anymore didn’t change anything. I always told myself that losing was going to happen one day. It’s part of a career. It was bouncing back that put pressure on me. I asked myself questions like “and if I lose again here in Paris, what do I do afterwards? “Mentally, it would have been more complicated and having won relieves me of that.