Trends frequently come and go in the world of mixed martial arts. The early days of Mark Coleman and Dan Severn showed heavy handed wrestlers dominating most of their competition. That style can still prevail today, as shown by modern fighters such as Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje. Both have impressive wrestling credentials but are known for explosive knockout punches. Bringing more attention to the UFC lightweight division, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s reign made even the most casual fans aware of how powerful a competent wrestler can be in mixed martial arts. However, today there seems to be an influx of kickboxers that find tremendous success in the mixed martial arts world.
Ciryl Gane has taken the heavyweight division by storm, showcasing a rare level of precision and poise. Although the UFC is home to the most skilled fighters in the world, the heavyweight division isn’t known to have the most technically sound strikers. At 10-0 with seven of his victories within the UFC, Gane is making waves in the mixed martial arts community. After completely dismantling fan-favorite Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis, Gane is set to face off against the current champion and most feared heavyweight of all time; Francis “The Predator” Ngannou. Although Ngannou has been praised for his other-worldly punching power, many are picking Gane as a favorite in their title bout. UFC commentator Joe Rogan was overwhelmingly impressed by Gane’s performance against Lewis. Rogan stated, “Ciryl Gane, who is 6’5”, 247 pounds, moves like a 170-pounder. It’s crazy. He’s bouncing like ‘Wonderboy’ the entire fight, bouncing, throwing feints. He completely changed the standard of heavyweight striking and I’m not exaggerating.”
Gane is not the only one bringing light to the kickboxing world in mixed martial arts. Reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been treating fans to spectacular performances; stuffing wrestlers takedowns and outsmarting his opponents on the feet. Just last week, rising prospect Giga Chikadze put on a clinic against feared striker Edson Barboza. Undefeated since signing with the UFC, Chikadze displays crisp technique manifested through perfect timing and shot selection. He called out former champion Max “Blessed” Holloway, setting up yet another striking showdown for the hardcore fans.
Different eras of MMA have shown different martial art styles to reign supreme. Some champions are specialists in striking, some in grappling, and some are simply well-rounded in all aspects of the sport. At Precision Boxing and MMA, we strive to give our students the tools to specialize in any style they gravitate towards, or become familiar with a little bit of everything. Open seven days a week, we offer expertise in Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. If you live in the Hudson Valley and want to check out the best martial arts academy in the area, give us a call at (845)392-8495 or click HERE!
About the Author
Oliver Swanson coaches boxing and personal fitness at Precision Boxing and MMA in Poughkeepsie. He loves writing about combat sports and spends his free time hiking and running with his dog.
