Jon Jones is not terribly impressed with Ciryl Gane’s striking prowess and strength of schedule.
On March 4, ‘Bones ‘ will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. Emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, UFC 285 will feature the heavyweight debut of the former 205-pound king as he challenges Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship.
Ahead of their highly anticipated clash, many fans are curious to see how Jon Jones handles himself after not only a three-year layoff from the sport but facing a man that many consider the best technical striker ‘Bones’ has ever faced. Of course, Jones finds that last bit laughable. He made that very clear in a series of posts on Twitter, specifically referencing his 2019 split decision win over heavy-hitting Brazilian challenger Thiago Santos.
“Man I just finished watching my Thiago Santos fight again,” Jones said on Twitter. “I think it’s crazy that you guys consider gane the most technical kickboxer I’ve ever faced. Everything Thiago did have bad intentions on it. Dude had lightning speed, power, explosiveness. Crazy versatility.”
Man I just finished watching my Thiago Santos fight again. I think it’s crazy that you guys consider gane the most technical kickboxer I’ve ever faced. Everything Thiago did have bad intentions on it. Dude had lightning speed, power, explosiveness. Crazy versatility.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 27, 2023
If that didn’t make his thoughts on Gane clear enough, Jones offered up another observation regarding the Frenchman’s last three opponents inside the Octagon.
“ganes last three opponents had terrible defense,” Jones continued on Twitter. “Those guys couldn’t stop a kick if their life depended on it. He’s fought flat footed boxers his last three fights.”
ganes last three opponents had terrible defense. Those guys couldn’t stop a kick if their life depended on it. He’s fought flat footed boxers his last three fights
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 27, 2023
Those last three bouts Jones is referencing came against Derek Lewis, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, and Tai Tuivasa. Gane scored knockouts in all, but his UFC 270 bout with Ngannou where ‘The Predator’ put his wrestling to work, solidifying a unanimous decision in what would ultimately be the final fight of his UFC career.
“Best wrestler he ever fought was Francis, that’s wild,” Jones tweeted.
Best wrestler he ever fought was Francis, that’s wild
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 27, 2023
Jon Jones Excited to Skip Weight Cutting for the First Time in His Career
With Jon Jones officially entering fight week, the general consensus light heavyweight GOAT would normally begin the grueling weight cut down to 205 pounds. That is no longer the case with ‘Bones’ finally making his heavyweight debut this Saturday night. Sharing his appreciation for being able to take things easy on Twitter, Jones said:
“I love mingling with the fans on fight week, you guys give me so much energy. It’s going to be awesome, so unbelievable not cutting weight. I would literally lose 20 pounds on fight week, excited to go in there with my full energy and strength for the first time.”
I love mingling with the fans on fight week, you guys give me so much energy. It’s going to be awesome, so unbelievable not cutting weight. I would literally lose 20 pounds on fight week, excited to go in there with my full energy and strength for the first time
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 27, 2023
When Jon Jones enters the Octagon at UFC 285 on Saturday night, it will be his 16th straight UFC title fight dating back to his UFC 128 defeat of Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua in 2011. Since then, Jones has bested a bevy of former world champions since then, including Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, and Daniel Cormier.
