PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

UFC PARIS: EUROPEAN FIGHTERS AIMING TO SHINE IN FRANCE

European mixed martial arts (MMA) fans will be in their element this weekend as the UFC makes its long-awaited debut in Paris, France.

The country lifted its ban on MMA just over two years ago, opening the door for the UFC to stage a high-profile event there.

The main card is co-headlined by fights in the middleweight and heavyweight divisions, and both feature European fighters with a point to prove.

After winning just two of his first five fights in the UFC, Marvin Vettori rattled off five straight victories to earn himself a shot at the middleweight title.

He was subsequently defeated by reigning champion Israel Adesanya, but showed enough during that fight to suggest he could challenge again in the future.

Vettori stepped up to light-heavyweight in his next outing, outclassing Paulo Costa on his way to a unanimous decision.

However, he admitted in a recent interview with Betway that it is ‘not in his plans’ to step up permanently from the middleweight ranks.

A victory over Robert Whittaker this weekend would put Vettori in pole position to face Adesanya again and he looks a good bet to achieve the feat.

Whittaker was defeated comfortably by the reigning champion earlier this year and that fight appeared to take a lot out of him.

French heavyweight Cyril Gane will also be eager to impress in Paris as he goes head-to-head with Australian knockout specialist Tai Tuivasa.

Gane suffered the first loss of his professional career earlier this year, with Francis Ngannou proving too classy in their heavyweight title contest.

The 32-year-old had notched 10 consecutive victories prior to that defeat and has been heavily backed to return to winning ways this weekend.

While he has the tools to see off Tuivasa’s challenge, he would do well not to underestimate the threat posed by his explosive opponent.

After reeling off nine straight victories as a professional, the Tuivasa bandwagon stalled slightly as he slumped to three successive defeats.

He took a year out of the sport to regroup, before returning with a devastating knockout victory over Stefan Struve in Abu Dhabi.

Tuivasa has since rattled off four more knockout wins, with the last three earning him Performance of the Night bonuses.

While Gane possesses more all-round skills than Tuivasa, it would be no surprise to see him wobble if the Australian catches him.

The clash between European middleweights Alessio Di Chirico and Roman Kopylov is the highlight of the rest of the main card and should be a close contest.

Di Chirico has won just once in his last five outings and can ill-afford another setback if he wants to climb the middleweight ranks.

Kopylov has lost his last two fights after winning the previous eight and will be desperate to record his first UFC victory this weekend.

UFC Paris - Main Card

• Ciryl Gane vs Tai Tuivasa

• Robert Whittaker vs Marvin Vettori

• Alessio Di Chirico vs Roman Kopylov

• John Makdessi vs Nasrat Haqparast

• Taylor Lapilus vs Khalid Taha

• Charles Jourdain vs Nathaniel Wood

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet