Ciryl Gane is just days away from stepping back into the Octagon, where he will face former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov in a rematch at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. This bout was initially scheduled for October at UFC 308, but Volkov withdrew due to a knee injury.
Ahead of his next outing, Gane continues to reflect on his devastating loss to UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023 — a defeat he describes as a pivotal learning experience.
He rebounded impressively with a TKO victory over Serghei Spivac at a UFC Fight Night event in Paris six months later.
Speaking during the UFC 310 Countdown episode, Gane opened up about his mindset during the Jones fight, admitting that he felt disconnected in the cage.
“When I look back at it, it was obvious that I was not there. It represented exactly how I felt on the day of the fight. It was a total misunderstanding of what was happening,” Gane said. “I don’t recognize myself there. It’s something I’ve never done in my life. I’ve never fought that way before. My distance management, my movement, the alertness that I love to show — I had none of that.”
Despite the setback, Gane views the experience as a turning point in his career.
“Looking back, I think that this experience may have been beneficial,” Gane continued. “For me personally, it helped me to refocus on myself. It gave me a spirit of revenge, a competitive spirit.”
Now fully refocused and determined, Gane will look to capitalize on his growth as he prepares for a second meeting with Volkov, hoping to solidify his path back to the top of the heavyweight division.
