Ciryl Gane put on a dominant, smothering performance at UFC 265, ultimately scoring a TKO victory over Derrick Lewis to secure the UFC interim heavyweight championship.
A lot of people were paying attention to the fight, including reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, and long-time light heavyweight champion (and current heavyweight) Jon Jones. Each of them reacted shortly after the UFC 265 main event went off the air, and each of them had something invested in the fight as the uncertainty about the future of the division shakes itself out in the months to come.
Other UFC fighters weighed in on social media as well, largely praising Gane for his performance. Here's what they had to say.
Here's what Francis Ngannou had to say before the interim title fight started. Via @francis_ngannou. pic.twitter.com/T89NyKAuum
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 8, 2021
Impressive performance from Gane !
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) August 8, 2021
He's now a legit contender.
See you soon boy. When you know you know. #ufc265
Great fights tonight 👏🏾
— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 8, 2021
He's a real problem! I'm super excited about the unification fight! If I am team @francis_ngannou I'm game plan meeting right now! We haven't seen a heavyweight like this with these abilities!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 8, 2021
Quite interesting. https://t.co/bya4uuaj1b
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 8, 2021
Flawless performance @ciryl_gane 👏👏👏. #UFC265
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) August 8, 2021
Two fights in a row ciryl doesn't have a scratch on his face
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 8, 2021
Not a single scratch! #interimchamp #ufc265
— Volkan Oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) August 8, 2021
Man as much as a beast I think Gane is it still doesn't feel right calling him "champ" feel like he's got to beat a couple more dudes to get that title 🤷🏾♂️
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) August 8, 2021
Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane is going to be something else . Shiiii Dana what's your cashapp, take my money right now 😂😂😂 #ufc265
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 8, 2021
