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-- and that everyone would appreciate that,” Lopez said.
Lopez said subsequent high-level experiences disabused Gane of his initial assumptions.
“He thought everything would be honest, but that's not the game. There is no mercy in this game,” Lopez said.
Lopez pointed to the buildup of UFC 270 in January 2022 against Francis Ngannou as an example of Gane's early psychological vulnerabilities.
“He was kind of naive,” Lopez said.
The coach explained that Gane falsely expected their prior relationship would dictate mutual transparency during pre-fight hostilities.
“He knew they were fighting, but he also thought they were coming from a place of 'We used to be friends, we know each other, if I look at you, you will tell the truth.'
He couldn't comprehend this idea of 'I can use this to get into your head,'” Lopez said.
David Gane supported this view, noting that the reduction in lifestyle broadcasting was a necessary self-defense measure.
“Ciryl is a good, happy person, so his mentality was to share that early on,” David Gane said.
He emphasized that the strategic withdrawal shielded Gane's inner circle from negative commentary.
“But social media is not a happy place. Social media is mostly negative.
I don't think it was him being naive, I just think he's now learned how to protect himself a little better.
His home bubble is more protected than it was before,” David Gane said.
