The previously announced UFC Paris card, set for September 2, 2023 at the Accor Arena, has its main event.
One of a trio of UFC headliners announced by promotion president Dana White on Thursday, this year’s trip to Paris will again be topped by heavyweight action. Once again, Ciryl Gane (11-2) will close out the show, taking on Moldovan Serghei Spivac (16-3).
One year ago, Gane headlined the promotion’s inaugural trip to France, which only legalized MMA in 2020. That night, “Bon Gamin” knocked out Tai Tuivasa in front of a roaring, partisan French crowd.
Gane’s return to action this past March did not turn out quite as well. Fighting for undisputed UFC gold for the second time in his career, the former interim champ wound up quickly submitted by Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March.
Given his only losses are to Jones and Francis Ngannou, however, it stands to reason that Ciryl Gane isn’t out of the title hunt just yet.
After starting his UFC career an underwhelming 1-2, “Polar Bear” Serghei Spivac has turned things around nicely, winning six of his last seven fights. Currently on a three-fight win streak that includes three finishes, he most recently defeated Derrick Lewis with an arm-triangle choke to claim his very first Performance of the Night bonus.
Gane is currently ranked #1 in the weight class; Spivac sits at #8.
