UFC Paris: Tai Tuivasa shrugging off monster kick to the chin from Ciryl Gane

UFC Paris culminated in the heavyweight main event which saw Ciryl Gane go toe-to-toe with Tui Tuivasa in the Octagon, with the former managing to get the victory thanks to a knockout in the third round.

It was far from an easy fight for Gane who threw literally everything at his opponent, striking plenty more times at a much greater success rate in France’s maiden hosting of the promotion.

He attempted 168 total/significant strikes, landing 110 of those at a respectable 65.5% accuracy, which was much greater than his opponent.

Tai Tuivasa attempted less strikes in total than Gane landed at just 89, critically though, he landed just 29 of those to register a 32.6% success rate which just isn’t going to cut it in the UFC.

Despite not delivering his best performance to date, Tai Tuivasa certainly made Gane work for the triumph, seemingly absorbing anything that landed on him.

In the third round, Gane landed a kick to his opponent’s chin which was absolutely ridiculous. The venom behind it and the pinpoint accuracy was masterful, but it couldn’t down Tai Tuivasa.

Nice kick broo #UFCParis @ciryl_gane pic.twitter.com/t3hiT4fjMC

Unsurprisingly, the number three-ranked heavyweight wobbled after taking such a monstrous hit, but he didn’t fall down, and actually managed to throw a punch straight back at his opponent, although Gane was able to duck underneath it.

After the huge victory for Gane, he could be looking at a rematch with Francis Ngannou. He was completely out-wrestled in January when the pair locked horns first time round, but after an aggressive display in Paris, Gane could have learnt his lesson ahead of a potential rematch.

The victory now likely has him in pole position for a title fight with Ngannou despite the