The open workouts for UFC Paris gave French fight fans their first real taste of what’s the come this Saturday.
With MMA being legalized in France just a few short years ago, the UFC finally makes their debut at the Accor Arena in Paris for a Fight Night event topped by heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa.
Gane, of course, is French, and therefore the local hero here. Not to mention a former interim UFC heavyweight champion, coming off a loss to Francis Ngannou in a title unification bout earlier this year. Which very much makes Gane the star of the show, as popular as Australia’s Tuivasa may be.
The popularity of Gane was in full effect on Wednesday, as the heavyweight was practically mobbed at the open workouts by media and fans while taking selfies with those in attendance.
France's own "Bon Gamin" @ciryl_gane was practically mobbed by media and fans following today's #UFCParis open workouts! But still managed to get plenty of selfies with them. Tres bien! pic.twitter.com/DmbQ0zRlaQ
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) August 31, 2022
As for Tuivasa, he was given a chillier reception, though a few calls for shoe-ys still rang out. Despite those, ‘you’re going to die” was mentioned once or twice among a chorus of jeers and boos. “Bam Bam” took it all in stride, however, noting that being part of the first UFC card in France gave him a chance to bring his family to a city he called “beautiful.”
“This is going to be a great fight with a great opponent. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m ready to bang down for the fans,” Tuivasa added. He would later refer to Gane as “another thing for my resume,” noting that he’d be in a good place with a victory Saturday. And yes, you can expect a shoe-y with a win.
Gane vs. Tuivasa tops the 12-fight UFC Paris card this Saturday, September 3, 2022.
