Ciryl Gane Bio
Ciryl Romain Jacky Gane (born April 12, 1990) is a French professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion and previously held the heavyweight title in TKO Major League MMA. Gane began his combat sports career in Muay Thai before transitioning to MMA in 2018, training with MMA Factory in Paris.
Early Life and Background
Ciryl Gane was born in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, France. His paternal family has roots in Guadeloupe. His father, Romain Gane, was a bus driver and a footballer in the Division d’Honneur. As a youth, Ciryl played football and basketball but later pursued work in sales at a furniture store while participating in a work-study program in Paris. During this period, a former classmate introduced him to Muay Thai, which marked the beginning of his combat sports journey.
Path to MMA
Gane started his professional combat sports career as a Muay Thai fighter, achieving a perfect record with 14 wins and 9 knockouts. He made his professional MMA debut in 2018 under the guidance of coach Fernand Lopez at MMA Factory. His early MMA career quickly progressed as he signed with the Canadian promotion TKO Major League MMA, where he won and defended the heavyweight championship before joining the UFC.
Ciryl Gane Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Ciryl Gane competed professionally in Muay Thai from 2014 to 2018, establishing himself as a formidable heavyweight with a series of knockout victories. His transition to MMA began in 2018 when he debuted professionally under MMA Factory’s coaching. Gane’s striking skills from Muay Thai laid a strong foundation for his MMA fighting style.
TKO Major League MMA Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Gane made his MMA debut fighting for the vacant TKO heavyweight championship against Bobby Sullivan, winning by first-round submission. He successfully defended the title twice, defeating Adam Dyczka by TKO and Roggers Souza by TKO in the first round. These performances showcased his striking power and grappling skills, earning him recognition and a contract with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2019–Present)
Ciryl Gane debuted in the UFC in August 2019 with a first-round submission victory over Raphael Pessoa. He followed with notable wins including a heel hook submission against Don’Tale Mayes, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Gane continued to impress with victories over Tanner Boser, Junior dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov. In August 2021, he won the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Derrick Lewis via third-round TKO, earning another Performance of the Night award.
Gane challenged Francis Ngannou for the UFC Heavyweight Championship in January 2022 but lost via unanimous decision. He rebounded with a knockout win over Tai Tuivasa in September 2022, earning Fight of the Night honors. In March 2023, he faced Jon Jones for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship but was submitted in the first round. Gane returned to winning form with a TKO victory over Serghei Spivac in September 2023, securing his third Performance of the Night bonus. In December 2024, he won a close split decision rematch against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ciryl Gane is known for his technical striking, agility, and strategic approach in the heavyweight division. His Muay Thai background provides excellent footwork and precision striking, while his grappling skills have improved significantly under MMA Factory’s coaching. Gane’s reach and movement allow him to control distance effectively, making him a versatile and dynamic fighter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gane’s career highlights include winning the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2021 and multiple Performance of the Night awards. His fight against Tai Tuivasa earned Fight of the Night honors, and his bouts against top contenders like Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones have been defining moments in his career. Gane remains a top-ranked heavyweight contender with a record of 13 wins and 2 losses in MMA.
Ciryl Gane Career Wins
Ciryl Gane has accumulated 13 professional MMA wins out of 16 fights, with 6 victories by knockout, 1 by submission, and 6 by decision or other methods. His success spans multiple promotions, including TKO Major League MMA and the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2019, Gane has secured numerous wins, including his debut submission victory and knockout performances that earned him several Performance of the Night bonuses. His interim heavyweight title win over Derrick Lewis marked a career peak. Gane’s most recent UFC win came in December 2024 with a split decision over Alexander Volkov.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Gane was the TKO Major League MMA heavyweight champion, successfully defending his title twice. His Muay Thai career was undefeated with 14 wins, including 9 knockouts, demonstrating his striking prowess before transitioning fully to MMA.
Ciryl Gane Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ciryl Gane’s father, Romain Gane, was a footballer and bus driver. The family has Guadeloupean roots. There is no public information about any other family members involved in combat sports.
Personal Life
Ciryl Gane is married and has two daughters. The family resides in Nogent-sur-Marne, Île-de-France, France. Gane maintains a private personal life outside of his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ciryl Gane remains an active and top-ranked heavyweight in the UFC. He competed in a high-profile bout against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321, which ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Gane continues to train with MMA Factory under coach Fernand Lopez, aiming to reclaim the UFC heavyweight title. His performances maintain his status as a leading contender in the division with a focus on technical striking and strategic fight execution.