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A fascinating video of Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane sparring has once again surfaced online following their recent claims.
The UFC heavyweight championship clash between Ngannou and Gane headlines this weekend's blockbuster UFC 270 card.
A huge part of the build-up surrounding the title unification bout is the history shared by the former training partners.
Things escalated when a video of Ngannou and Gane sparring from their days at MMA Factory emerged online.
The clip shows Gane getting the better of Ngannou, who later called out the footage - saying it was 'manipulated'.
The defending UFC heavyweight king has since upped the ante by claiming he knocked out 'Bon Gamin' in sparring.
"Yes, I knocked him out," he replied when asked about training. "(It was) a high kick, left high kick."
Ngannou added: "That knockout wasn’t a voluntary knockout. It was in sparring. It was an accident.
"I didn’t intend to knock him out. I didn’t go there to knock him out. Personally, it’s not something that I feel proud of. I don’t walk around and feel all tough because I knocked my sparring partner out or down or whatever.
"Usually, stuff like that happens in training, but it’s always an accident because we’re committed to taking care of our partner."
As for Gane, the UFC interim heavyweight champion, he downplayed the sparring footage.
On The MMA Hour, he explained: "For me, it was a good part of my sparring.
"Sometimes, it was more balanced. Sometimes, it was better for him. Sometimes, it was better for, like every sparring you do with a sparring partner, this is a good part of myself.
"Not too much, but it was good."
Ngannou heads into the first defence of his crown having knocked out his last five opponents, including Stipe Miocic.
Gane, on the other hand, is perfect in his MMA and UFC career - rattling off 10 wins, beating Derrick Lewis in his last appearance.
Featured Image Credit: MMA FactoryTopics: Francis Ngannou, UFC
Nasir Jabbar