GANE YOUR SPURS
FRENCH phenom Ciryl Gane says he is ready to show the presumptive Greatest of All Time that after three years out of the game, he’s no longer the “baddest man on the planet”.
The vacant UFC Heavyweight title goes on the line at UFC285 on Sunday when the silky skilled Gane (11-1) meets the sublime striking of Jon Jones (26-1) at T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After a 37-month fighting sabbatical, former two-time UFC light heavyweight champion Jones returns to the octagon and moves up a weight class to challenge No.1-ranked heavyweight Gane.
Public opinion is divided on the validity of this title bout, given Jones’ long inactive streak, however the matchup remains a mouth-watering prospect regardless.
‘Bones’ has UFC immortality in his sights, with machinations to make himself a career dualtitle holder and extend his incredible streak of 14 title fights.
A heavyweight title would go a long way to bolstering Jones’ resume as the UFC GOAT – something he has shown time and again means a lot to him.
But Gane believes the American’s time is done.
“Three years ago? Yeah. But the best today, still? Now I think it’s different,” Gane said.
“He’s jumping up to the heavyweight division … yes, he’s done some sparring (but) I started in this division, my career has been in this division so yeah, I think it is an advantage for me.”
It’s a second championship fight for ‘Bon Gamin’, Gamin , who sufsuf fered his only career defeat to Francis Ngannou when fighting for the heavyweight title in January last year.
But the belt means less to the Frenchman than knocking Jones off his perch and Gane is ready to remind the world of his brutal billing.
“I’ve got a mission, you see – it’s about the sport and being a competitor,” the 32-year-old said. “Yes you have the money, you have the belt … but to win against a guy like Jon Jones, this is something big.
“To have the belt means I’m the baddest man on the planet and to win against a guy like Jones means a lot, because he is like a god. He has defended a lot of belts and has a great record, so (defeating him) would mean a lot also.”
Considered one of the top kickboxing proponents in the game, Gane’s ability was discredited by Jones on Twitter this week when he claimed a former light heavyweight rival, Thiago Santos, had the superior skillset.
It was a tried and true method of mental intimidation by the 35-year-old American, but Gane refused to bite.
“I’m not sure about that. Firstly, (Santos) is in a different division,” he said.
“He is a really great kickboxer, yeah, and a really great striker and really dangerous. But I’m different. I feel I have better footwork, also.
“(Jones) likes to talk because that’s his personality. But if he’s done this big camp for me, that’s because he respects me and respects this fight. So yeah, I think (he does respect me).”