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#2 Ciryl Gane vs. Don'Tale Mayes (Heavyweight)
Ciryl Gane was undefeated coming into the second fight of the main card but his spotless record was in jeopardy as he put in on the line against Don'Tale Mayes - a fighter on a four-fight MMA win streak. This had all the makings of en explosive heavyweight showdown.
Round 1: Mayes went for an oblique kick. Gane looked to catch it and counter with a right. Both men looked really agile and mobile on their feet, however, Gane was the aggressor as he coaxed Mayes to engage.
Mayes answered with a pressing combo. Gane shifted stances a lot but Mayes didn't lose his focus and kept getting in some good offense. Gane connected with a body kick and wildly swung his hands. Mayes covered up and ate a few shots.
Two massive kicks reverberated across the area. Gane went for the 1-2, Mayes ducked and landed a straight counter right. Gane landed a three-piece combo that hurt Mayes. Gane kept up the pressure with brutal step-in elbows. Gane dropped Mayes with a flying knee and he followed it up with hammer fists. Mayes was saved by the bell. Close!
Round 2: Mayes with a wild overhand. Gane looked light on his feet. A swift jab from Gane. Mayes absorbed a groin shot, for which he was given a few minutes t recover.
Gane went back on the offensive as the fight resumed. He went for two high head kicks. Mayes lost his balance after he got hit with a straight kick to the body. Gane had the edge with his hand combinations as he was the more inventive of the two. Gane tagged Mayes with a punch to the back of the head. Gane had landed over 20 kicks now. He landed another punch to Mayes' temple. Mayes started to labor a bit as Gane was still light.
Mayes committed to a right, Gayes level changed and took Mayes down. Gane transitioned from side control to the south position. Mayes tried to get up to his feet. He controlled Gane's wrists well and got back up. The round ended with Gane attempting to get Mayes down again.
Round 3: Gane had two rounds in the bag and all he needed to do was to avoid taking a lot of damage. He targeted the body with kicks. He went for a wild uppercut but Mayes got out of the way. Front-kick, right-hand combo from Gane. Gane tried to get a straight left through Mayes' guard. Gane landed at will as he connected with jabs and followed it up with short rights. Gane connected with another snappy body kick.
Mayes needed something big to turn the scales in his favor but Gane was methodically picking him apart. Gane was landing shots in the pocket with ease. Mayes felt a kick to his gut and began retreating. He attempted a few last-ditch spinning back fists but Gane was all over him. Mayes didn't get finished but he did get taken down with 30 seconds to go in the fight. Gane was in half guard and he smartly caught Mayes' right leg and went back first into the mat. He got hold of Mayes' heel and locked in a tight heel hook. Mayes tapped with merely 20 seconds left to go.
Result: Ciryl Gane def. Don'Tale Mayes via submission (heel hook) (4:46, Round 3)
Gane's impressive win was the latest submission finish in UFC's heavyweight history.
The undefeated Ciryl Gane looked every bit a fighter he was hyped up to be and better. His striking was dynamic and the submission was just the cherry on top of the cake. 'Bon Gamin' looks like the future of the Heavyweight division.
