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UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is training with one of the best strikers on the planet ahead of his title unification bout against Ciryl Gane.
Bringing in world-class talent to mimic opponents is a key to success at the top levels of combat sports and Ngannou’s team has leaned on of the best professional kickboxers on the planet - Rico Verhoeven.
The GLORY Kickboxing world heavyweight is training with Ngannou in preparation for Gane.
The kickboxing champ has one professional MMA bout on his record and has professional boxing experience, but most know Verhoeven as one of the best kickboxers today.
Being that Gane (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is a former unbeaten muay Thai champion, bringing in a kickboxing champ would certainly give Ngannou good looks. In his 10 MMA fights, Gane has displayed a well-versed striking style, ranging from kicks, knees, punches and elbows.
Former training partners Ngannou and Gane never spent too much time sparring at their once shared gym MMA Factory Paris, but things have gotten a little testy between Ngannou and his former head coach Fernand Lopez since Ngannou moved to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
