While Ciryl Gane
has been lauded for his heavyweight striking skills, Jon Jones
believes he’s seen better.
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Jones took to Twitter to discuss Gane’s striking acumen ahead of
their fight for the vacant heavyweight title in Saturday’s UFC 285
main event. “Bones” pointed to Thiago
Santos, who he defeated via split decision at UFC 239, as a
superior kickboxer to the Frenchman.
“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,” Jones wrote on
Twitter. “Everything Thiago did have bad intentions on it. Dude had
lightning speed, power, explosiveness. Crazy versatility.
“Gane’s 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.”
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
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
In those aforementioned three appearances, Gane earned KO/TKO
victories against Derrick
Lewis and Tai Tuivasa
while dropping a decision loss to then champion Francis
Ngannou.
“Best wrestler he ever fought was Francis, that’s wild,” Jones
wrote. “No offense to my boy [Derrick
Lewis]. I love Derrick.”
Best wrestler he ever fought was Francis,
that’s wild— BONY (@JonnyBones)
February 27, 2023
No offense to my boy Derek Lewis, I love
Derek.— BONY (@JonnyBones)
February 27, 2023
Overall, Gane is 11-1 since making his professional debut in 2018.
His UFC resume includes other notable victories against the likes
of Alexander
Volkov, Jairzinho
Rozenstruik and Junior dos
Santos. Jones, who is returning after a three-year hiatus, is
the most accomplished opponent Gane will have faced to date.
UFC 285 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and airs on
pay-per-view via ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.