CIRYL GANE warned Francis Ngannou that he has 'improved immensely' since they sparred at the MMA Factory in Paris.
Bon Gamin will attempt to end the reign of his former trainer as heavyweight champion in Sunday's main event at UFC 270 in Anaheim.
This weekend, Ciryl Gane will attempt to dethrone Francis Ngannou, heavyweight champion
The sparring sessions under Fernand Lopez have helped both men gain a deep understanding of each other's strengths, but Gane feels he has come a long way since then.
SunSport spoke with the 31-year old: "I believe this time we have improved, 100 percent."
Gane, an undefeated heavyweight prospect, was only a fighter when he was battling Ngannou at the old MMA Factory facility.
He also admitted that he was very confident in his friendship with the Cameroonian early on in his career.
He stated, "At that time, the feeling wasn't good. I just started in MMA, and I can spare with a guy who is already in the top five."
Gane fondly remembers his time with his former training partner. However, he is acutely aware of the UFC's improvements to the UFC's first African-born champion in heavyweight.
The Frenchman thinks he is a totally different fighter than Ngannou, but that's not the point.
Former TKO heavyweight champion stated that "We have improved greatly - both on our part and his."
"So, I believe today that it's going be a little different. This has given me a lot more confidence.
UFC 270 card
Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gae (heavyweight title unification bout)
Brandon Moreno vs Deiveson Figueronado (men's flyweight champion fight)
Michel Pereira vs Andre Fialho (welterweight bout)
Cody Stamann vs Said Nurmagomedov, (bantamweight bout).
Rodolfo Vieira vs Wellington Turman (middleweight bout)
Prelims
Raoni Barcelos vs Victor Henry (men's bantamweight bout)
Ilia Topuria against Charles Jourdain (men’s featherweight bout).
Jack Della Maddalena vs Pete Rodriguez (welterweight bout)
Fight Pass Prelims
Tony Graveley vs Saimon Oliira (men’s bantamweight bout).
Trevin Giles vs Michael Morales (welterweight bout)
Silvana Gomez Juaraz vs Vaness Dempoulos (women's strawweight bout)
Matt Frevola vs Genaro Valdez (lightweight bout)
Kay Hansen vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight bout).
