LAS VEGAS – It’s no secret that Jon Jones research his opponents earlier than each combat, and he has discovered some areas to doubtlessly exploit towards Ciryl Gane.
One of many causes Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) doesn’t take quick discover fights is as a result of he desires to know what problem lies forward, and which means hours of finding out movie. When he steps into the cage on the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas for the UFC 285 predominant occasion to face Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for the vacant heavyweight title, Jones believes the notes he has gathered will assist him succeed.
When first requested what he sees in his heavyweight debut opponent, Jones was complimentary of Gane, giving the previous interim champion lots of reward for his abilities.
“Ciryl looks like a pleasant man,” Jones informed reporters on the UFC 285 pre-fight press convention. “Looks as if a – you recognize, he’s an incredible fighter. Nice footwork, nice placing, ambidextrous in his stances – and I believe it’s going to be an incredible combat.”
Just a few moments later, nonetheless, Jones was requested to make clear feedback he made at Wednesday’s media day, when he acknowledged Gane was probably the most incomplete fighter within the heavyweight’s prime 5. That’s when Jones went past the floor and divulged what he views as weaknesses in his opponent’s sport.
“I respect Ciryl Gane, I actually do, however I examine movie consistently and I simply see lots of patterns,” Jones mentioned. “When he’s in a single stance, there’s issues he actually likes to do. He goes to the identical properly quite a bit. When he’s within the reverse stance, he has his tendencies. Outdoors of that, I spotted that he doesn’t have a lot wrestling. He depends on evasion, making an attempt to get away. He depends on jiu-jitsu as a substitute of stable takedown protection, and similar with the bottom sport. I watched Francis Ngannou have the ability to rack up perhaps 5, six minutes of prime time in that combat, and Francis is just not a man that’s identified to manage individuals on the highest.
“He does have the placing down. I don’t suppose defensively he’s a really robust kickboxer. He has a very nice offense. Like I mentioned, his protection is principally in his footwork, and two different large holes are jiu-jitsu and wrestling.”
Gane, who was sat just a few ft away from Jones with UFC president Dana White manning the rostrum between them, didn’t give a lot of a response whereas his opponent spoke. When it was his flip to take the mic, Gane addressed a number of the points Jones spoke about.
After admitting he made a mistake in underestimating Francis Ngannou’s wrestling sport of their UFC 270 heavyweight title bout, Gane mentioned he made certain he coated that base in coaching camp for Jones.
“All people is aware of the extent of wrestling of Jon Jones, however I’m centered about that,” Gane mentioned. “I’m centered on it, so we labored on it. We’re going to be prepared for him.”
Past addressing his wrestling, Gane additionally spoke about going above and past in preparation for this combat, as a result of he is aware of what a win over Jones would imply for his legacy, along with turning into the UFC heavyweight champion.
“Actually, I’m simply centered on my efficiency,” Gane mentioned. “I simply need to do properly within the cage towards an enormous man like him. It’s an enormous check for me. Possibly, and really, the most important check of my life.”
