Former UFC champions Dominick Cruz and TJ Dillashaw defend Ciryl Gane against recent accusations of intentional cheating in fights.
UFC heavyweight fighter Ciryl Gane has recently faced heavy criticism and accusations of being a cheater from various mixed martial arts fans and critics alike.
The controversy surrounds alleged illegal moves in past bouts, including a double eye poke against Tom Aspinall and illegal elbows during a match against Alex Pereira.
Despite the backlash and ongoing debates across the MMA community, two former UFC titleholders are stepping forward to defend Gane, according to information published by bjpenn.
Dominick Cruz defends Ciryl Gane
During a recent episode of the Love and War Podcast, former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz shared his perspective on the controversial eye poke incidents.
Cruz argued that fighters should take personal responsibility for defending themselves against strikes and pokes, stating that if an opponent manages to land an eye poke, the defensive fighter shares the blame.
Because of this philosophy, Cruz firmly rejected the notion that Gane intentionally bends the rules to secure an unfair advantage inside the Octagon.
TJ Dillashaw weighs in on Pereira fight
Adding to the defense, former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw addressed the intense scrutiny Gane faced following his fight against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June.
Dillashaw explained that the controversy has been severely blown out of the water by passionate fans of Pereira who simply wanted to see their favorite athlete win the bout.
According to Dillashaw, the illegal blows were completely accidental because Pereira was actively moving his head while Gane was landing the strikes.
Referee Herb Dean and accidental fouls
Dillashaw also pointed out that veteran referee Herb Dean has unfortunately caught a significant amount of unfair flack from fans regarding the officiating of these accidental fouls.
The distinction between intentional rule-breaking and unintended technical errors remains a central point in the discussion among professional fighters and analysts.
While fans continue to debate the severity of fouls in modern mixed martial arts, fellow athletes maintain that Gane fights without malicious intent.
Upcoming UFC 334 championship bout
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his fighting style, Ciryl Gane has been promoted as the official UFC heavyweight champion while Tom Aspinall remains sidelined with injuries.
Gane is now preparing to put his prestigious gold title at stake against challenger Josh Hokit in the upcoming UFC 334 main event.
The high-stakes championship showdown is scheduled to take place on November 14 in New York City, where Gane will look to silence his critics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ciryl Gane being called a cheater?
Ciryl Gane faced accusations of cheating due to accidental fouls in past fights, including a double eye poke against Tom Aspinall and illegal elbows against Alex Pereira.
What did Dominick Cruz say about Ciryl Gane?
Dominick Cruz defended Ciryl Gane on the Love and War Podcast, stating that getting poked in the eye is partly a defensive failure and does not make Gane a cheater.
Who does Ciryl Gane fight next in the UFC?
Ciryl Gane is scheduled to defend his heavyweight title against Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 on November 14 in New York City.
Did TJ Dillashaw defend Ciryl Gane?
Yes, TJ Dillashaw defended Ciryl Gane by explaining that the illegal blows against Alex Pereira were accidental and blown out of proportion by frustrated fans.
