Ciryl Gane’s life has changed a lot over the past five years and even as a multitime UFC title challenger, the balancing act has proven difficult.
With a kickboxing background long engrained in martial arts being, Gane (10-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) finds the rapid onboarding of other responsibilities has sometimes proven impossible.
“I love grappling,” Gane recently told La Sueur in French. “But unfortunately, I’m lazy, that’s the truth. I only train when a fight is announced. I have a lot of media obligations. Professional opportunities outside of the sport. You can’t say no to all these things. I also have to give time to my family, rest well.”
In recent fights, Gane said he’s uncovered a regret. Typically, he only trains when he has a fight on the books – which is the case for his upcoming UFC 285 main event title fight March 4 against Jon Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC), he revealed.
“If I look back at my career, this a regret: I only train when a fight is announced,” Gane said. “I had my fight against Tuivasa (in September), barely trained since then, and now I’m back it since the Jones fight has been announced.”
Gane, 32, will get his second crack at the undisputed UFC heavyweight title. He first attempt, which he entered as interim champion, was a unification bout against Francis Ngannou. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. In September, Gane bounced back with a knockout win over Tai Tuivasa.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.