While Ciryl Gane has been lauded for his heavyweight striking skills, Jon Jones believes he’s seen better.
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.”
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.”
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.
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