Heavyweights Junior dos Santos, Ciryl Gane to Clash on UFC 256 on Dec. 12

Junior dos Santos will square off against Ciryl Gane in a heavyweight bout at UFC 256.

MMAFighting.com was first to report the pairing. UFC 256 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Dec. 12 and features a women’s featherweight title tilt pitting Amanda Nunes against Megan Anderson.

A former heavyweight champion, dos Santos has fallen on hard times of late. “Cigano” is currently on a three-fight losing streak in which he has been finished in succession by Francis Ngannou, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Prior to that skid, the 36-year-old Brazilian had been victorious in four of his last five Octagon appearances.

After taking a three-round verdict over Tanner Boser at UFC Fight Night 165, Gane has had four fights fall through for various reasons. Most recently, a prosposed clash with Ante Delija was at UFC Fight Night 180 was scrapped due to contract issues for Gane’s opponent. The 30-year-old Frenchman is 6-0 as a professional — including three triumphs in the Octagon.