Sovran Star

Ciryl Romain Jacky Gane, 36, is the interim champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the heavyweight division again. In 2021, he made history as the first French mixed martial artist to become the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Gane was born in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France and is fighting out of Paris, France. His paternal family has roots in Guadeloupe, France.

“UFC Freedom 250“

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held “UFC Freedom 250” on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., USA on June 14, 2026. It is the first combat sports event to be held at the official residence and workplace of the president of the country.

There were seven matches on the card. In the co-main event, Gane and Alex Pereira, 38, of São Paulo, Brazil competed for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Herb Dean served as the referee. Gane dominated the opening frame by utilizing his superior speed and varied attack, completely disrupting Pereira’s rhythm and limiting the Brazilian fighter to only a few minor low kicks while landing the cleaner, more effective strikes.

In the second round, Gane wasted no time, immediately pressing the action to stun Pereira with a sharp jab before relentlessly pursuing the finish. After 1 minute and 27 seconds in the second round, Dean stopped the fight as the French contender defeated his Brazilian opponent via technical knockout via punches.

It was a masterclass performance from Gane, reinforcing his status as an elite, world-class heavyweight. Following this victory, a highly anticipated rematch between the La Roche-sur-Yon native and Tom Aspinall of Salford, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom looms once the latter is cleared to compete.

UFC Heavyweight Championship

On August 7, 2021, Gane and Derrick Lewis of Houston, Texas, USA competed for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship title at “UFC 265” in Houston. The French contender won via TKO via punches.

On March 4, 2023, Gane and Jon Jones of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA competed for the then vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship title at “UFC 285” at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The latter won via submission via guillotine choke.

On November 11, 2023, Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich of Moscow, Russia competed for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship at “UFC 295” in New York City, New York, USA. The former won by knocking out the latter via punches.

On June 21, 2025, Jones announced his retirement, making Aspinall the new undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. When Gane challenged the new champion at “UFC 321” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, an eye poke rendered the defending champion unable to continue so it was declared a No Contest.