Ciryl Gane Returns At UFC 249, Meets Shamil Abdurakhimov

Ciryl Gane looks to maintain his perfect professional record at UFC 249 in April.

French finisher, Ciryl 'Bon Gamin' Gane will make his Octagon return at UFC 249 in April in Brooklyn, New York - as he tackles #10 ranked heavyweight contender, Shamil 'Abrek' Abdurakhimov in his first pay-per-view appearance for the promotion. News of the matchup was first reported by French website, La Sueur.

The 29-year-old recently cracked the division's top fifteen ranks at UFC Fight Night Busan, as he managed a unanimous decision triumph over Tanner Boser. In what proved to be a hectic debut year in the organization, Gane made three Octagon walks, lodging two more finishes over Raphael Pessoa, and Don'Tale Mayes. Before his transition to mixed-martial-arts in 2018, Gane had made an impressive name as a promising kickboxer - lodging an undefeated thirteen fight professional record.

Heavy-handed Russian contender, Abdurakhimov - will prove the sternest test of Gane's young career to date, having shared the Octagon with the likes of former heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski, and one-time title challenger Derrick Lewis, since his UFC bow back in 2015. Before his recent stoppage loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, the 38-year-old had managed three straight victories over Chase Sherman, the aforementioned Arlovski, and Marcin Tybura.

UFC 249 will take place on April 18th. from the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, with a lightweight championship clash taking headlining status. Reigning division best, Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to finally meet perennial contender and former interim champion, Tony Ferguson, at the fifth time of asking. In a strawweight pairing, two former division champions meet in a high-stakes rematch, as Jéssica Andrade faces off with Rose Namajunas. At middleweight TUF alumni, Uriah Hall will meet with one-time Strikeforce middleweight best, Jacaré Souza. In a heavyweight pairing, Ben Rothwell welcomes Gian Villante to the division. In an exciting lightweight bout, Khama Worthy takes on Ottman Azaitar. In a rescheduled featherweight pairing, dangerous strikers meet as Octagon veteran, Jeremy Stephens faces Boston native, Calvin Kattar.

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