Ciryl Gane Spars With Rudy Gobert
In September 2024, former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane took part in a friendly sparring session with NBA center Rudy Gobert at MMA Factory in Paris. At the time, Gane was preparing for a rematch with Alexander Volkov that had been announced for UFC 308. The bout was later moved to UFC 310, where Gane won by split decision.
A Meeting of Athletic Giants
The clip brought together two prominent French athletes from different sports. Gane is a former interim UFC heavyweight champion. Gobert, a center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, had just won his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, tying the league record at that time.
Training Highlights
The footage shows a short, friendly sparring session. It offers a glimpse of Gane and Gobert moving together, but it does not establish that Gobert was part of Gane’s fight camp or demonstrate any effect on either athlete’s performance.
What the Session Does—and Does Not—Show
The size difference made the clip an unusual crossover moment, and the session drew attention from MMA and basketball outlets. Claims that it improved Gane’s footwork, Gobert’s conditioning, or his basketball defense are speculative; the available reporting does not document those outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Gane’s planned Volkov rematch did not take place at the originally announced UFC 308 date. The two met at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024, and Gane won by split decision. The sparring video should be viewed as a light training moment during that preparation, not as evidence about the bout’s result.
Conclusion
Gane and Gobert shared a friendly sparring session at MMA Factory in Paris in September 2024. The clip brought attention to the two athletes, while the later UFC 310 result provides the relevant context for Gane’s upcoming fight at the time.
Sources:
[1] Sports Illustrated: Gobert Spars with Ciryl Gane
[2] BJ Penn: Gane and Gobert Training Clip
[3] Training footage
[4] Sportskeeda: Fan Reactions to the Sparring Clip
[5] MMA Fighting: Sparring Session and UFC 308 Plans
[6] UFC: Gane–Volkov Result at UFC 310
[7] NBA: Gobert’s Fourth Defensive Player of the Year Award
Sources
Tags: MMA
