Gane beats Volkov, says he is ready

Undefeated Ciryl Gane edged Alexander Volkov on points by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.

It was a heavyweight contender’s fight and Gane could be in line for a title fight before long.

Gane’s hand speed, footwork and technical striking were too much for the 6-foot-7 Volkov.

“I feel great,” Gane said in his post-fight interview. “I’m fine. A little bit of punches in my face, but I like that. That’s my job.”

Afterward, Gane indicated that he is “ready” for a shot at the heavyweight belt. If he were to get that opportunity, he could face champion Francis Ngannou.

Gane trains with Lopez at MMA Factory, and both he and Ngannou have trained together before. Gane said he would want to fight Ngannou only if the UFC title is on the line. And now there’s a chance it could happen.

“I think that’s fine,” Gane maintained. “I’m comfortable with the situation now. He has the belt … We were born in the same gym with the same trainer. Now, for the title, for the belt, I can do this.”

Two of the best heavyweights right now in mixed martial arts have their roots in France, a remarkable development for a country with no real MMA pedigree that legalized the sport last year.