UFC’s first card in Paris headlined by Ciryl Gane – Tai Tuivasa

Yesterday we saw some massive UFC news and that news was that the promotion is heading to Paris, France in September. The promotion will be making their debut in France and they are brining a helluva main event for the fans.

The hometown heavyweight star and former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (10-1) is back as he takes on the popular and loveable Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa (15-3). The fight will happen on September 3rd. Ariel Helwani first reported the fight.

We’ve seen Bellator have fights in Paris, but respectfully, nothing like this one. Bellator came with Cheick Kongo who is a legend in French MMA, but the UFC is bringing one of the very best in the world in Ciryl Gane.

Gane will look to bounce back after losing by decision to Francis Ngannou back in January. “Bon Gamin” had the fight in hand being up 2-0 on Ngannou before Ngannou switched to a wrestling attack that Gane wasn’t ready for. Ngannou won the final three rounds and edged a decision at UFC 270.

This was Gane’s first professional loss. Prior to that, he had captured the UFC’s interim title by knocking out Derrick Lewis.

UFC Turnaround for Bam Bam

Back in 2019, it looked like the UFC career of Tai Tuivasa was over. Tuivasa burst onto the scene with entertaining performances, but he went on a three-fight losing streak and didn’t look good at all in any of those fights. For a time, it looked like Tuivasa was getting cut.

However, he started taking his career seriously and we’ve seen a different Tuivasa since. “Bam Bam” is now on a five-fight winning streak and not a single opponent has gone the distance with Tuivasa.

His most impressive victory was his last one. Tuivasa took on former two-time title challenger Derrick Lewis at UFC 271 in Lewis’ hometown of Houston, Texas. Tuivasa took everything Lewis had and didn’t fall and in the second round, he knocked Lewis out.

Now, Tuivasa has the biggest fight of his career. If he can beat Ciryl Gane in Paris, it’s time for his UFC title shot which is something we thought we’d never see just a few years ago.