The information of the battle might have leaked considerably prematurely on
Saturday, however the reserving itself was legit: Ciryl Gane
will welcome Jon Jones to
the heavyweight division at UFC 285
on March 4.
“I’m actually pleased to be the primary man on this division preventing
with Jon
Jones,” Gane stated on the UFC Battle Night time 217 post-fight press
convention. “And I’m certain it’s going to be – he’s an excellent
athlete.”
UFC president Dana White confirmed the bout whereas revealing that
negotiations fell by with former heavyweight champion Francis
Ngannou for a possible battle with Jones. Because of this, Ngannou
was stripped of the belt and has been launched of his contractual
obligations with the promotion, and Gane vs. Jones shall be for the
vacant heavyweight title.
Whereas Gane doesn’t possess the identical fearsome knockout energy as
Ngannou, the Frenchman is assured that he could be a extra
tough matchup for Jones than the ex-champ.
“I do know I’ve received good footwork at first, I believe I’m somewhat bit
extra well-rounded [than Ngannou],” Gane stated. “I look somewhat bit
extra like Jon Jones.
Sure, when you could have a giant man that simply desires to kill you with one
punch, it’s extra simpler for a man well-rounded and sensible like
Jon
Jones to handle the scenario. Me, additionally, I’m not like that. I
prefer to handle the scenario. It’s going to be actually good.”
There’s somewhat little bit of the unknown surrounding Jones. Whereas
“Bones” is considered one of many best pound-for-pound fighters
of all time, it’s going to have been greater than three years since his final
bout when he stands throughout the Octagon from Gane at UFC 285. Gane
struggled to defend the takedown in his loss to Ngannou at UFC 270,
however he doesn’t anticipate Jones to deal with anyone space of their
conflict.
“He’s going to remain well-rounded. I don’t assume he’s going to show
one thing. I believe he simply desires to win his battle towards me, and I
don’t know what is an efficient option to win towards me,” Gane stated. “Of
course, some folks prefer to say my wrestling recreation isn’t good
due to the battle with Francis, however this isn’t the case. I used to be
not targeted on simply that. I’m well-rounded, too. I can think about a
battle the place we’re going to remain on the ft and perhaps we’re going
to attempt a while to go down.”
No matter how the battle itself performs out, there’s no query
will probably be a surreal second for Gane, who adopted Jones throughout his
rise to prominence because the youngest champion in UFC historical past.
“After I began watching this, Jon Jones was
certainly one of my favourite fighters,” Gane stated. “Extra after I began MMA,
as a result of I’m a fan of each sport in MMA, and while you take a look at a man
like Jon
Jones, who’s well-rounded like this, you actually respect it.
He’s the GOAT. Take a look at his profession.
“Right this moment, I’m a younger fighter, and I believe it’s the dream of each
younger fighter to battle towards a GOAT. That is actually loopy for
me.”
