Robert Whittaker predicts winner of Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane title fight at UFC 270
![Robert Whittaker predicts the outcome of Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane [Photo via @ufc on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/03828-16427517034560-1920.jpg?w=500)
Robert Whittaker has cast his prediction for the upcoming heavyweight clash between Ciry Gane and Francis Ngannou at UFC 270.
Whittaker did a special interview for gambling site Unibet Australia. In it, the top-ranked UFC middleweight revealed that he's favoring Gane to "get the job done" and walk away from UFC 270 as the new undisputed heavyweight king.
On top of that, Whittaker went on to explain why he believes 'Bon Gamin' will emerge victorious in the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown.
According to 'The Reaper' :
"Ciryl is a favorite which is funny because Francis is the current champ. But I think he's the favorite for a good reason. His striking is phenomenal. No one comes close to this in the heavyweight division. So I think he gets it done... My value bet is for Ciryl Gane to win in rounds three and four."
Watch Robert Whittaker give his prediction for Ngannou vs. Gane below:
Who will leave #UFC270 The Baddest Man on the Planet? 🌏
@robwhittakermma, @CruteJim & @Mambamalkoun give their tips for the mammoth clash for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship 🔥 https://t.co/JJXmGOyIpV
Unibet Australia as well as several other betting sites have listed Ngannou as the slight betting underdog. 'The Predator' is pegged as the +125 underdog, leaving Gane as the -150 favorite.
Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane trade jabs over sparring stories
Months after footage of Ciryl Gane getting the better of Francis Ngannou made the rounds on social media, the reigning champ claimed that he once knocked out 'Bon Gamin' in a different sparring session. However, the interim heavyweight titleholder has disputed Ngannou's claims.
During the UFC 270 pre-fight press conference, the heavyweight stars argued about their versions of the story. Ngannou said:
"He was knocked out, probably, because he doesn’t remember."
Meanwhile, Gane argued:
"This is not the truth. We did some sparring – and it was really great sparring from Francis. It was a beautiful left kick. The problem with Francis is he doesn’t like technical sparring – [he likes] to make power. … You gave me the left kick. You hurt me. You see? I’m honest – you hurt me. You hurt me. But you didn’t knock me down."
Gane then challenged Ngannou to look him in the eye and say he knocked him out with a kick. In response, 'The Predator' said he can't prove it because he doesn't have the video, but claimed he respects the Frenchman.