Ciryl Gane Plans to Utilize Grappling Against Alex Pereira in Heavyweight Title Fight
Ciryl Gane says he can finish Alex Pereira on the ground when not committing to ‘100%’ striking match

Image: Bloody Elbow
Ciryl Gane is preparing for a versatile strategy against Alex Pereira in their interim heavyweight title fight on June 14. While both fighters are known for their striking, Gane emphasizes his grappling skills and the potential to finish the fight on the ground, challenging the notion of a purely striking matchup.
- 01Ciryl Gane is set to face Alex Pereira on June 14 for the interim heavyweight title.
- 02Gane has indicated he will not limit the fight to striking, mentioning his grappling abilities.
- 03Pereira has a takedown defense rate of 79%, while Gane's is 47%.
- 04Gane has trained with experienced fighters like Artem Vakhitov to prepare for this matchup.
- 05The fight will test Gane's ability to implement a diverse skill set against Pereira's striking.
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Ciryl Gane is gearing up for his interim heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira on June 14, aiming to showcase his full arsenal of skills. While both fighters are renowned for their striking, Gane has emphasized that he will not confine the bout to a striking exchange. He stated, “I can finish the fight also on the ground,” indicating his willingness to incorporate grappling into his strategy. Gane's grappling has previously been a weakness, but he believes threatening with takedowns could disrupt Pereira's striking rhythm. Pereira, a decorated kickboxer, boasts a takedown defense rate of 79%, significantly higher than Gane's 47%. Despite this, Gane's movement and diverse skill set could provide him with an edge. The matchup presents a compelling challenge as Gane seeks to leverage his training with fighters like Artem Vakhitov to counter Pereira's striking prowess.
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