This Week In MMA - Ciryl Gane Outshines Derrick Lewis, Jose Aldo Turns In Vintage Striking Performance

Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC

Take a look back on a week in MMA where French standout, Ciryl Gane scooped the interim UFC heavyweight title via an impressive third round knockout over prolific finisher, Derrick Lewis to round out UFC 265 -- while former featherweight titleholder, Jose Aldo rolled back the years with a vintage unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz -- co-headlining the card.

Beginning the week, Dominance MMA leader and prominent manager, Ali Abdelaziz made claims that former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor "likes drugs again" -- as well as hypothesizing that the Dubliner isn't a top-level fighter anymore off the back of his second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier. 

Forced from her September 4. pairing with Mandy Bohm due to VISA issues, Taila Santos has been replaced by former KSW flyweight best, Ariane Lipski who will now welcome the undefeated Bellator alum, Bohm to the UFC.

Rebooked for UFC 267 on October 30. from 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi, UAE -- former lightweigth champion, Rafael dos Anjos is slated to return opposite grappling standout, Islam Makhachev in an important bout at 155lbs.

Booked to headline a Fight Night billed event the week prior -- one-time middleweight title challengers, Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori are slated to square off in pivotal middleweight scrap. 

On December 11. former undisputed bantamweight best, Cody Garbrandt is set to make his move to the flyweight division in the form of a showdown against City Kickboxing striker, Kai Kara-France at a Fight Night event.

In another penned bout, flyweight strikers, Joanne Calderwood and Alexa Grasso are set to meet on November 20. 

Reacting to a recent tweeted and deleted post from McGregor, former-foe and undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed that he believes McGregor was "drunk" when he appeared to mock the passing of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in July of last year.

Off the back of her botched weight-cut attempt for a bantamweight bout against Wu Yanan -- inaugural UFC flyweight champion, Nicco Montano was released from the organization. 

Also booking his Octagon return, former undisputed UFC and Strikeforce middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold has been matched opposite recent UFC Vegas 33 headliner, the #8 ranked contender, Sean Strickland for UFC 268 on November 6.

Former interim and undisputed UFC featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes is set to snap a retirement from combat sports -- as he makes his return under the BKFC banner, having inked a multi-fight deal with the David Feldman-led organization. 

Set to headline his homecoming event on October 23. -- former Pride FC heavyweight kingpin and Grand Prix victor, Fedor Emelianenko is slated to meet with recent interim heavyweight title challenger, Timothy Johnson at Bellator Russia. 

Expressing doubt that he will be able to meet with former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje at UFC 268, recent vacant title chaser, Michael Chandler explained how he won't be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus in time for November 6. -- with the state of New York City set to introduce a mandate which will require proof of vaccination in order to enter a gym, restaurant, or an indoor venue for entertainment. As of publication, Madison Square Garden is currently tentatively targeted to host the PPV showcase.

In another post which has since been tweeted and deleted, McGregor appeared to allude to the UFC 223 bus incident back in April of 2018 -- when he claimed that Khabib may not get so lucky if he finds himself "trapped" again.

Co-headlining UFC 265 last night, former featherweight kingpin, Aldo turned in a spectacular performance to lodge his second straight win at bantamweight -- taking a unanimous decision win over American Top Team trainee, Munhoz.

Clinching the interim heavyweight crown in enemy territory, Gane managed to stop hometown favourite, Lewis with a third round barrage -- improving to 10-0 as a professional, having managed an eye-catching striking performance prior to the stoppage.