Ciryl Gane Scores Electric Finish in DC Sunday

Heading into Sunday night's co-main event of  UFC Freedom 250 on the south lawn of The White House, heavyweight Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC MMA, 11-2, 1 NC UFC) was in search of a definitive result inside the fabled Octagon.Late last year, he saw his UFC Heavyweight Championship fight versus current champion Tom Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC MMA, 8-3, 1 NC UFC) end prematurely after the latter suffered an eye poke with 25 seconds remaining on the first-round clock.

With Aspinall still not medically authorized to make a defense of the heavyweight crown, the promotion booked an interim heavyweight title contest to serve as the co-headlining bout of the event. His adversary for the contest was former UFC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira (13-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC.)

By the time the co-main event of the evening began on the south lawn of The White House, every fight on the show had ended by way of knockout. Gane, who won the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship in only his fourth bout under the promotion's banner in 2021, had plenty to live up to once the cage door closed.

Ciryl Gane Brings Fireworks to UFC Freedom 250 Co-Main Event

Although this title fight was slated for five rounds at five minutes per round in the nation's capital, "Bon Gamin" needed less than two full rounds to complete his assignment. Right after the command to fight was given by referee Herb Dean to begin the second period of action, Ciryl Gane delivered a lead leg kick, brusing Alex Pereira.

Gane attempted a takedown effort but Pereira stuffed it before "Bon Gamin" delivered a punch to his opponent's head, knocking him down.  The onslaught of strikes continued with Ciryl Gane unleashing elbow shots on Alex Pereira.

While "Poatan" managed to stand up, Gane scored with a right-handed punch before Pereira returned fire with a left-handed shot. Ciryl Gane stalked Pereira and uncorked another elbow. With Pereira wobbled, Gane landed two more punches before Herb Dean intervened. Time of the stoppage: One minute and 27 seconds into the second round.

"When Ciryl Gane fights anyone that hasn't been the absolute best, he beats him," said Daniel Cormier, analyst for UFC Freedom 250, "and now, he's beaten him in tremendous fashion."

Ciryl Gane Talks to Joe Rogan After Knockout

Following the win at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night, Joe Rogan entered the Octagon to conduct his customary post-fight interview. After removing his mouth guard, the victorious Gane discussed how his striking propelled him to a win in Washington.

"We worked on it," Ciryl Gane began. "We did a really great job with my team during the camp. I'm really proud of myself. I'm really proud of my team."

From there, he gave credit where it's due.

"Thank you to my family," he continued. "Thank you to the people behind me. We knew that it was possible to do. We knew that."

Alex Pereira Noncommittal on Aspinall Rematch

Ciryl Gane's win on Sunday night came nearly eight months removed from the no-contest against Tom Aspinall during UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the run-up to UFC Freedom 250 this past weekend, UFC CEO Dana White mentioned that had Tom Aspinall been cleared to fight, he would have battled Gane in a rematch.

With Ciryl Gane having claimed the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship for the second time in his tenure as a fighter in the promotion, Joe Rogan inquired about Gane's next moves.

"We will see," Gane said. "Now, I just want to say thank you."