Gane hopes Ngannou stays with UFC: 'I want my rematch'

Ciryl Gane would be disappointed if Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC.

The former interim champion hopes to square off with the heavyweight champ again in the future after losing a unanimous decision to Ngannou at UFC 270.

"If he leaves like that, I don't want that," Gane said Saturday night at the postfight press conference, according to MMA Fighting. "I want my rematch. I want to do this fight a second time."

Ngannou was in an unprecedented position ahead of his first title defense, as it also marked the final bout on his current UFC deal. Had he lost to Gane, he would have become a free agent following a 90-day exclusivity period. But because of the champion's clause, Ngannou is still under contract with the promotion.

The 35-year-old's management has been at odds with the UFC in recent months; the two sides did not finalize a new deal for Ngannou before his title unification bout with Gane, who captured the interim heavyweight belt last August.

Ngannou said after the victory he's felt mistreated by the UFC but did not shed light on his future.

Gane, who used to train with Ngannou at MMA Factory in Paris, lost for the first time as a professional in the fight. "Bon Gamin" was 7-0 in the promotion and 10-0 overall heading into his first crack at an undisputed UFC belt.