In the main event of UFC 270, we saw a showdown for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (16-3) took on interim champion Ciryl Gane (10-0) in one of the more highly anticipated heavyweight title fights in history.
This was such an intriguing matchup and it had some personal routes. For UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, the issues are with Gane’s head coach. Fernand Lopez used to be Ngannou’s head coach. He is now the head coach of Ciryl Gane. There has been some verbal back-and-forth between the two men.
Ngannou made the switch to Xtreme Couture and Eric Nicksick a couple of years ago and he led Ngannou to the UFC heavyweight title last year when Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic. During Ngannou’s rise, Ciryl Gane was also rising up through the ranks under Fernand Lopez.
Gane had a sensational 2021 that saw him go 3-0. Everything culminated for him when he defeated Derrick Lewis to become the UFC’s interim champion. That interim title was his ticket to taking on the undisputed heavyweight champion tonight.
UFC 270 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 270 heavyweight title fight kicks off with a touch of the gloves. Ngannou takes the center and Gane circles on the outside. The champion immediately pressures and Gane shoots for a takedown. However, Ngannou defends well. Solid clinch from Gane here but Ngannou breaks.
Jab from Gane lands. Body kick from Gane and Ngannou gets a clinch. Gane reverses the position and lands a nice knee to the body. Knee to the body lands for Ngannou and they break. Jab lands from Gane. Big body hooks from Ngannou and Gane circles away.
Gane moving well here and he lands a nice jab. Spinning back kick to the body lands for Gane. Knee to the body lands for Gane. Stiff jab from Gane here and Ngannou is just stalking here. The two come together in another clinch and Ngannou pushes Gane against the fence.
Knee to the body from Francis and Gane reverses the position. Lots of pressure now from Gane and he lands a knee. Another good knee from Gane and Ngannou lands a hook to the body on the break. The round comes to a close and it’s 1-0 Gane at UFC 270.
Round 2
Entering the second at UFC 270 and Ngannou is already looking tired. They touch gloves and here we go. Gane bouncing on the outside while Ngannou holds the center. Front kick lands for Ngannou and a side kick to the body lands for Gane.
Back to back low kicks from Gane and he lands a stiff jab behind it. Powerful low kick lands for Gane. Ngannou just plotting forward but not throwing much. Every time Ngannou throws he’s way out of range. Gane clips Ngannou with a right hand over the top.
Whiff from Ngannou and the two men clinch. Gane pushes Ngannou away and they are back to range. Big body kick lands from Ciryl Gane and now Gane is picking up the pace. Big low kick lands for Ngannou and Gane counters with one of his own.
Gane circles on the outside and he lands two more kicks. Body kick lands for Ngannou. Boos from the crowd as neither man are extremely active here. Big uppercut just misses from the champion and Gane hits him with a low kick. The round comes to a close and it’s 2-0 Gane at UFC 270.
Round 3
Entering the third at UFC 270 and Ngannou needs to get going here. They touch gloves to start the third and Gane lands two straight low kicks. Uppercut lands for Ngannou but it seemed to more graze Gane. Big whiff from Ngannou.
The two men come together in a clinch and Ngannou slams Gane to the ground. Immediate side control from the champion. Heavy top pressure here from Ngannou but Gane scrambles and gets the dominant position. Scramble to the feet and Gane presses Ngannou against the fence.
Hip toss from Ngannou but Gane pops right back up and gets back to the clinch. Gane presses Ngannou against the fence. Spinning elbow from Gane and the two separate. Side kick from Gane and a nice hook to the body lands for Ngannou.
Ngannou looks exhausted here with a minute left in the round. Gane bouncing on the outside but eats a low kick from Ngannou. Ngannou shoots for a takedown and gets it. The round comes to a close and the champion takes the third with his takedowns. 2-1 Gane at UFC 270.
Round 4
Entering the fourth at UFC 270 and Ngannou switched strategies and gained some momentum in the third. They touch gloves and Ngannou takes the center. Low kick from Gane lands and he lands a front kick to the body. Jab from Gane lands and a low kick behind it.
Ngannou plotting forward here trying to time Gane. Front kick from Ngannou and Gane lands a low kick behind it. Big shot to the body from Ngannou. Powerful low kick from the champion and then Gane lands a very stiff jab. Spinning back kick from Gane.
Front kick lands for Gane. Big body kick from Ngannou and he gets to a body lock. Big takedown from Ngannou and he gets to the back of Ciryl Gane. Gane controlling the wrist of Ngannou to avoid the ground and pound. Ngannou leaning on Gane here.
Gane gets back to his feet but Ngannou drags him right back to the ground. Ngannou nearly gets to the mount but Gane defends well. Half guard from Ngannou and he’s doing a really solid job of controlling Gane. Gane uses the fence to try and get back to his feet.
However, he eats a nasty knee to the body. Nice ground and pound from Ngannou and the round comes to a close. Another big round from Francis Ngannou at UFC 270.
Round 5
Entering the final round at UFC 270 and I think this is all even. The touch gloves and Gane pushes forward. They both connect on solid shots and Gane lands a leg kick. Nice left straight lands for Ciryl Gane. Another big exchange from both men.
Gane getting the better of things here and now he lands a takedown. Sweep from Ngannou and now the champion has the top position. Gane attacks a leg lock and it’s close, but it’s not locked in deep. Ngannou scrambles and he ends up in the top position.
Mount from Francis Ngannou. Heavy top pressure here from the champion but there’s not a lot of action. Gane tries to scramble but Ngannou is holding him down for now. Under a minute to go and any big moment could win this fight for either man.
Gane tries to get up, but Ngannou pushes him right back down. Ngannou attacks an arm-triangle but the round comes to a close. The champion should take the round and the fight at UFC 270.
Francis Ngannou def. Ciryl Gane by Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)