The UFC 270 press conference, that took place on Thursday saw some serious shots being fired from the heavyweights. Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane went all out on each other right before their upcoming fight.
Talking about the release of a sparring footage between the two heavyweights, Ngannou had something very interesting to reveal. The “predator” claims that he knocked out his former training partner, Gane, in the same sparring session. He specifies that it was a left high kick that took Ciryl out.
Gane was seen to get the better of the heavyweight champion in the footage while the video was released at the fight week. However, both the men, confronted each other in the press conference, where Gane, accused Ngannou of lying about the knockout. Gane, in his defense said” You are lying. You hurt me, but you didn’t knock me out”. He further adds “We did some sparring and it was really great sparring from Francis. It was a beautiful left kick. The problem with Francis is that he doesn’t like technical sparring, [he likes] power. You gave me a left kick, you hurt me. You see? I am very honest. You hurt me. But you didn’t knock me down,”
Ngannou on the other hand, had his side of the story. He was persistent with his words as he went on to flex his power. He said, ““He was knocked out. Probably that is why he doesn’t remember,” .
The interim champ has stayed away from the social media feud between coach Lopez and Ngannou and says he is not impressed by the predator’s behavior ahead of the fight week. He also believes that the footage showed balance between the good and bad aspects of both the fighters.
Do check: Francis Ngannou thrashes a reporter for misquoting him
Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane staredown
Things have certainly heated up between the two heavyweight giants as they face each other in the cage at UFC 270. After having a verbal sparring session at the press conference, both men stood up for the stare down.
The stare down wasn’t one of the most quit ones as the fighters exchange words. The face to face interaction between the two has built up the tension going into the fight where the former team mates who respect each other, look to knock one another out.
