Watch: Ciryl Gane talks heavyweight ‘benefit’ over Jon Jones
For the second time in a bit of over a yr, Ciryl Gane stands on the verge of UFC heavyweight title glory.
-Commercial-
His first shot, which got here in January of final yr towards then-champ Francis Ngannou, noticed him tackle one of many division’s most fearsome threats; a battle-tested fighter with a confirmed observe file of having the ability to knock out virtually anybody within the division. On Saturday, although, within the UFC 285 primary occasion from the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, Gane will welcome Jon Jones to heavyweight in what would be the former 205-pound champion’s first battle in additional than three years.
Chatting with the media, together with TheMacLife, in Vegas on Wednesday, Gane gave an concept of what he expects to face within the cage when he locks horns with one of many biggest fighters within the sport’s historical past.
“We anticipated throughout the camp an exquisite Jon Jones,” he mentioned. “Quick like he was on the mild heavyweight, with the identical expertise, however stronger like a heavyweight. Like an actual heavyweight. We anticipated this, and we did all of the camp on this. I would like the belt now, whoever is the man [I fight].
“However now it’s Jon Jones, that is going to imply lots for me, as a result of he’s the GOAT. Everyone is aware of that, due to his profession. Even when this isn’t his division, he’s nonetheless an athlete, so if we win, will probably be one thing large for my profession, and one thing large for my life, for positive.”
Gane has competed at heavyweight in every bout of his 12-fight profession, and regardless of an total expertise drawback towards Jones — who has seen all of it in his 28 fights — the Frenchman believes his expertise within the division can pay dividends.
“100%, it’s going to be a bonus, as a result of I began on this division,” he defined. “So this isn’t one thing new for me. It’s going to be new for him. Even when he did, I’m positive, a whole lot of sparring with some heavy, heavy guys. Even when he did that, sure, I’ve nonetheless acquired extra expertise than him [at heavyweight].”
