Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Jon Jones
believes Ciryl Gane’s
confidence will play a key role in a rematch against Tom
Aspinall.
Gane (14-2) challenged Aspinall (15-3) for the heavyweight title in
their first meeting at UFC 321
last October. However, the fight ended in an unfortunate no-contest
after a double eye poke by Gane in the first round rendered
Aspinall unable to continue.
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While Aspinall subsequently underwent eye surgery, Gane defeated
Alex
Pereira to win the interim heavyweight title at
UFC Freedom 250. „Bon Gamin“ is now expected to challenge
Aspinall in a title unification bout next and Jones believes the
Frenchman will come out on top.
Why Jon Jones believes Ciryl Gane has the edge over Tom
Aspinall
According to Jones, Gane’s confidence is soaring after his win over
Pereira. The former champion also notes that Aspinall was looking
invincible until he faced Gane at UFC 321. Notably, many, including
UFC CEO Dana
White, opined that the two-time interim champion was winning
the fight as long as it lasted.
“I believe Gane’s going to win,” Jones told Ring Magazine. “When
you become the champion and you beat a man like Alex Pereira, it
has to do something for your confidence. Even in Gane’s first fight
with Tom Aspinall, Tom was looking pretty invincible until Ciryl
Gane. And most people feel like Gane was winning that fight. I feel
like Gane’s confidence has to be at an all-time high.”
Jones returned to the Octagon after three years against Gane in
2023, with the vacant heavyweight title on the line. „Bones“ made
quick work of the French heavyweight with a guillotine choke in the
very first round. Meanwhile, the American has a contentious
relationship with Aspinall, with the duo going back and forth
repeatedly before Jones ultimately vacated the belt.