UFC Fighters React to Ciryl Gane Beating Down Serghei Spivac

September 2nd marked the UFC’s return to Paris nearly a year to the day after their first event in the country. Familiar faces in Benoit Saint-Denis and William Gomis made their return home and both picked up big finishes. France’s Taylor Lapilus returned to the UFC after being cut back in 2016 and grabbed a big win decision over Ireland’s Caolan Loughran. Ciryl Gane headlined the card for the 2nd time, taking on rising contender Serghei Spivac in a battle of top heavyweights.

Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac

Gane immediately looked to establish his range and landed some nice jabs and leg kicks. Spivac then shot a takedown which Gane moved out of the way before starting to work the body. Spivac shot another big takedown and wrapped the leg, but ended up on the bottom. As Spivac stood up, Gane hammered a knee to the body. At this point, it was evident that Gane was looking to drain Spivac with shots to the body. He did get caught with a big left hand but ate it well and continued to jab and leg-kick Spivac until the end of the round.

Gane started Round 2 defending two takedowns and perfectly mixing up attacks to the head, body, and legs. Hope for Spivac was starting to fade despite the time left, as Spivac was only landing with glaring shots as he rushed forward. The shots landed by Gane started to land harder and have more of an effect on Spivac, eventually cracking him with a monster right hand. Gane proceeded to beat Spivac with his back against the cage for the next minute, landing 36 strikes in the final 60 seconds for an absolutely brutal finishing sequence. Spivac was standing throughout the entire onslaught, a testament to his toughness. However, Ciryl Gane was able to outstrike Spivac 110-11 in total strikes in under 9 minutes. The absolutely dominant display from the former interim champion inserts his name right back at the top of the division.