“He’s Awkward”: Former Opponent Ciryl Gane Surprisingly Picks Jon Jones Above Stipe Miocic for UFC 295

Ciryl Gane, the former UFC interim heavyweight champion, recently secured an impressive victory at UFC Paris. Gane, once hailed as the division’s future, had faced setbacks in his quest for the undisputed title. Suffering defeats at the hands of Francis Ngannou and, more recently, Jon Jones. However, with an impressive victory under his belt, he is once again riding high at the top of the division.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Gane shared his insights on the upcoming UFC heavyweight title match between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. And he offered a unique perspective on why he believes Jones will emerge victorious.

Ciryl Gane believes this is why Jon Jones will win against Stipe Miocic

During his appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Gane was asked to predict the outcome of the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic bout at UFC 295.

Responding to Ariel’s question, Gane expressed his support for Jon Jones, stating, “I remember during fight week I say, I’m gonna say Jon Jones because he’s awkward, really clean, and that’s better if he can retain it with a clean record.”

He explained this preference by highlighting Jones’ unique qualities, describing him as “awkward” and “really clean.” Gane also emphasized the importance of Jones maintaining a pristine record, as it sets a positive example for future fighters, particularly the younger generation, who look up to him. He chose Jon Jones as the likely winner of the upcoming fight at UFC 295 because he appreciates Jones’ distinctive fighting style. And believes it can have a positive impact on aspiring fighters.

Gane’s endorsement of Jon Jones comes after his recent victory against Sergey Spivak at UFC Paris. The fight showcased Gane’s improved takedown defense, a skill that had faced scrutiny from fans and analysts.

Gane and his evolution since losing to Jones and Ngannou

Gane managed to fend off Spivac’s only takedown attempt and dominated the striking game, achieving the second-largest strike differential in UFC heavyweight history (109 to 11). Ultimately, he secured a TKO finish in the 2nd round after dealing significant damage to Spivak on the feet.

This performance signaled a turnaround for Gane, who had faced criticism earlier for his lackluster performance against Jones. And his inability to engage in grappling with Francis Ngannou in a previous title shot. As the fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic draws nearer, Gane has reentered the title contention conversation.

Read More: “A Guy Waiting in the Night and…”: Weeks After Getting Robbed, Ciryl Gane Finally Opens Up on the Traumatic Experience

When questioned about the possibility of facing Tom Aspinall or Sergei Pavlovich, who is expected to serve as the backup fighter for Jones vs. Miocic, Gane emphasized that he does not have a preferred opponent or timeline for his next move. His primary focus remains on securing the fight that will provide him with another opportunity to vie for the undisputed title.

Will Jon Jones retain his title against Stipe Miocic? Will Ciryl Gane capture the elusive undisputed heavyweight title? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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