Ciryl Gane played it safe, sticking to a disciplined gameplan of throwing crisp jabs and low leg kicks. The simple, yet effective strategy made Jairzinho Rozenstruik think twice about trying to maul Gane. And Gane used it to skate toward a unanimous decision shutout victory, as all three judges scored it 50-45 in his favor in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Just like that, Gane improved to 8-0 and is knocking on the door of the elite heavyweights in the division, perhaps making it a point for the likes of Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou to take notice.
Gane didn't waste time asserting his jab, launching the crisp punch to split Rozenstruik's guard and keep him at bay. From there, he mixed in low leg kicks that seemed to make Rozenstruik think even further about trying to get inside and land a power shot.
Co-main event: Magomed Ankalaev edges Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision; Light heavyweight
Make that six wins in a row for Ankalaev, who took the unanimous decision with 29-28 across the scorecards. That's the longest winning streak among active light heavyweights and Ankalaev secured this victory with takedowns and by controlling the grappling on the ground.
Montana De La Rosa and Mayra Bueno Silva battle to majority draw; Women's flyweight
Silva being penalized a point for grabbing the Octagon while De La Rosa was going for a takedown proved to be the difference as the flyweight bout wound up being a majority draw, with judges giving it 28-27 for Silva and the others scoring it 28-28 and 28-28.
Pedro Munhoz dominates Jimmie Rivera; Bantamweight
Munhoz kicked away at Rivera, who visibly showed the effects of the stinging strikes. The effort paved the way for Munhoz to take a unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.
Alex Caceres def. Kevin Croom soundly by unanimous decision; Featherweight
Caceres pounded away at Croom's head while threatening a rear-naked choke during the waning seconds of the third round. Caceres didn't get the submission, but judges saw it all his way by the scores of 30-26, 30-26, and 30-27.