[ad_1]
Eric Nicksick expects Ciryl Gane to issue a tough challenge to his student Francis Ngannou when they unify the UFC heavyweight title.
Nicksick, the head coach of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and the main cornerman of Ngannou (16-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC), doesn’t expect any fun when the time comes to fight with new interim title holder Gane (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who beat Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC 265 last Saturday.
Unsurprisingly, Nicksick was keeping a close eye on Gane dismantling Lewis en route to a third round TKO at the Toyota Center in Houston. After witnessing the lopsided affair, Nicksick said he couldn’t help but take Gane very seriously.
“I was very impressed with him to be completely honest with you,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio on Monday. “I think he’s very effective. That’s the word that comes to mind, it’s effective. It is not very reachable.
There was a lot of drama leading up to UFC 265 involving Ngannou. The promotion originally wanted him to defend his belt against Lewis at the event, but when his schedule didn’t match he moved on and booked an interim title fight.
Ngannou has repeatedly expressed disappointment with the way the situation unfolded and felt that UFC leaders were trying to devalue his belt by adding an interim belt to the mix less than five months after taking out Stipe Miocic. to become champion. The situation turned out the way it did, however, and it looks like Ngannou has turned the page and honed a fight with his former training partner Gane.
Despite all the hype, Nicksick said Ngannou was at the gym every day and training hard. He said “The Predator” is focused and everyone involved knows that putting that first flaw on Gane’s record won’t be easy.
“I wouldn’t say he feels disrespectful – I don’t want to put words in another man’s mouth – but there is definitely a nervousness about him like, ‘I’m going to prove these guys wrong'” , Nicksick said. “I don’t know what to prove or what to do. He is the heavyweight world champion. Gane looked great last weekend. I know we have our hands full, but in my mind this title is always going to pass through us, and it’s up to us to defend it.
While there has been no date or venue officially attached to Ngannou’s fight against Gane, Nicksick said he is already mentally preparing for Ngannou’s first heavyweight title defense. Gane has a unique style that isn’t easy to replicate, but Nicksick is one of the best coaches in the game, and he’s confident in his ability to prepare his fighter well when the time comes to enter the Octagon.
“I already have guys in mind, that’s for sure. Nicksick said. “I want to bring in some guys to try and emulate the style. But in the heavyweight division, it’s really about the body. The best guy you can find to emulate her style – it’s gonna be hard – it’s gonna be hard to find a style like. At this point in your career, don’t go over dollars to collect pennies. Do everything to get the title, but also maintain the title. Not cutting corners, especially when it comes to training partners, is very imperative. “
For more on Nicksick, check out the full interview with MMA Junkie Radio below:
[ad_2]
Source link