Just days out from the highly anticipated UFC heavyweight title showdown between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall, the French superstar is in no doubt he can prove his doubters wrong.
Heading into UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (AEDT), the 13-2 Gane finds himself being somewhat forgotten compared to his 15-3 opponent.
UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane | SUN 26 OCT 5AM AEDT |The Heavyweight belt is on the line as undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall makes his first title defence against former interim champion Ciryl Gane, in Abu Dhabi.| Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The pre-fight hype has mostly centred around his powerhouse British rival, who has captivated fans with his speed, skill and spectacular finishing ability.
But 35-year-old Gane, once lauded as the best striker in the division, doesn’t intend to be anyone’s stepping stone.
“I think the people have started to underestimate me,” the former interim champion told Fox Sports Australia.
“I’m OK with this.”
Critics have cited Gane’s grappling as a vulnerability, especially after his ugly loss to Jon Jones, who had him tapping in the first round.
“Bon Gamin” (roughly: good guy) says he’s a different fighter now and has worked on the holes in his game.
“I’m really happy about this [fight] camp,” he said.
“Since Jon Jones, we’ve fixed a lot of things, and we had a really good camp this time.”
READ MORE
How champ can save troublesome division — and humiliate GOAT — in 124 seconds
UFC heavyweight champ makes surprising admission, brushes Jon Jones question
While there might still be questions about his ground game, Gane has proved his striking ability is on another level.
Utilising speed, footwork and distance control, he can leave his foes frustrated before closing the show. Just ask Aussie heavyweight brawler Tai Tuivasa, who he defeated by third-round KO.
“This is the first time he [Aspinall] is going to fight a guy like me,” Gane insisted.
“We know he likes to rush in on his opponents, and we know my strength is to stay at a distance and move, so it will be an interesting matchup.”
When asked whether he will be trying to make a statement with an early knockout, Gane says that this will remain “a surprise”.
READ MORE UFC
How champ can save UFC’s most troublesome division — and humiliate GOAT — in 124 seconds
‘See if she’ll break’: UFC star’s five-year revenge bid after stunning transformation
Aspinall & Whittaker’s hilarious roast | 07:52
“We will see. If I can find some way to finish the fight early…beautiful,” he said.
“But if we must do it over 25 minutes, I can do this also.”
Appearing on Fox Sports’ Fight Week on Wednesday night, Gane said he believes Aspinall will try to wrestle him to the canvas at some stage during the bout.
“I don’t think he’s going to spend 25 minutes on the striking,” he told Rob Whittaker.
“I know he is comfortable and confident in his striking, but when we start to strike together he’s going to see that it’s not going to be easy.”
Gane has come up short in his last two bids at the heavyweight title, but his coach Fernand Lopez has been claiming for a while that the true pressure is on Aspinall this time around.
“Tom Aspinall has more pressure on him than any other fighter has experienced in the last decade,” Lopez told the Ariel Helwani Show in July.
“Can you imagine what will happen if [he] does not deliver on October 25? That will be beyond an embarrassment.
“This is a lot of pressure that you don’t want to take on your shoulders.”
Gane tended to echo these thoughts when he spoke to Fox Sports Australia, while explaining it’s more about who handles expectations best on the night.
“He has the belt, so he is going to have more pressure. But I’ve got pressure also. The question is how are we going to manage this.
“I did a really, really great camp, and I’m OK with the pressure. And I’ve got experience of these big days, like with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
“I’ve got a little bit more experience there.”