Cruz and Dillashaw Reject the Cheater Label for Gane

Two former UFC titleholders have come to the defense of Ciryl Gane. Dominick Cruz and TJ Dillashaw both say the heavyweight champion is not a cheater.

Some fans believe Gane has bent the rules in his favor in past fights. The criticism focuses on eye pokes and illegal strikes. Gane drew fire for a double eye poke on Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has not fought since October 2025 because of his injuries. Gane was also scrutinized for illegal elbows to the back of Alex Pereira's head in their UFC Freedom 250 fight in June.

Cruz: a poke in the eye is the victim's problem

Cruz spoke on the "Love & War Podcast." He said that during his own fighting days he would blame himself if he got poked in the eye.

"I always said if you can poke me in my f*cking eye, I'm doing something wrong. You can punch me in my head. Trying to my head is so f*cking hard, if you can poke me in the eye, that's my problem, so we agree on that and I think that's why he's not a cheater."

Dillashaw: the Pereira fight changed the mood

Dillashaw agreed with Cruz. He said people have the wrong idea about Gane over his accidental fouls.

"I don't think he is [a cheater]. It's gotten blown out of the water since the Pereira fight. Obviously, everyone's a Pereira fan and they wanted him to win and they want to call the illegal blows. He wasn't going for it on purpose and Pereira's moving his head as he's hitting those. I think Herb Dean's unfortunately catching a lot of flack as well, too."

Gane was promoted to UFC heavyweight champion because Aspinall remains sidelined. He puts that title at stake against Josh Hokit in the UFC 334 main event on Nov. 14 in New York City.

Source: BJPENN.COM