Jon Jones is finally ringing back in the octagon after three long years. The former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion will be locking horns with the former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane. ‘Jonny Bones’ is looking his absolute best for his heavyweight debut and, according to Joe Rogan, he has done the right thing with putting the weight on slowly in his preparation, and he commends the fighter for that. But the UFC commentator is worried about the 35-year-old as he paints the larger picture. In the latest episode of his MMA show segment of the JRE, Rogan outlines what’s next for Jones if he prevails against Ciryl Gane and then manages to crash through Stipe Miocic afterward, too. Joe Rogan names one heavyweight fighter after that, who could threaten Jon Jones’ legacy like no other.
This ‘Russian Francis’ will be a nightmare for Jon Jones
During the MMA Show #134 with Belal Muhammad, Joe Rogan discussed the highly anticipated return of Jon Jones in-depth. Speaking of which, he believes ‘Bones’ needs to really amp up his techniques in order to take on Ciryl Gane and train with the right people. He said, “If he’s gonna fight a guy like Ciryl Gane, he really wants to get some movement. Some really tough, like, kickboxers.” Further in the discussion, he explained exactly why the French fighter needs to be taken seriously.
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Rogan stated, “Ciryl is so good at mixing up the kicks and the knees and the punches and the combinations. And he’s so light at the way he stands on the outside. Like if you’re gonna compete against a guy like that, you gotta get some similar looks.”
Furthermore, Rogan and Belal Muhammad talked about what Jones’ future looks like after the Ciryl Gane fight. Although the 55-year-old already mentioned that a win against Gane is still a big ‘if’, but if he wins, Stipe Miocic could be next, another heavy hitter. However, the real problem will come from this Russian heavyweight, who Joe Rogan is quite eager to see take on Jon Jones next.
Later in the conversation, Joe Rogan pulled up the UFC heavyweight rankings and pinpointed Sergei Pavlovich, who gives Joe Rogan literal chills. “That’s the boy. Sergei Pavlovich. That motherf**ker, that’s the Russian Fedor(Emelianenko). I mean, the Russian Francis(Ngannou) rather. He comes out guns-blazing on people, just like Francis used to. That motherf**ker can bomb,” said Rogan.
He continued, “The Tai Tuivasa fight was incredible… His boxing is f**king tight. Very tight, man. Real power punches, excellent technique, big guy too. A big heavy f**k… This f**king dude is scary.”
As mighty as Pavlovich is, Belal Muhammad identified one UFC fighter who is willing to take on him and demonstrate his worth. When Joe Rogan heard this, he instantly proposed what may make an excellent undercard for Jones vs. Gane. And it definitely sounds bonkers.
Joe Rogan demands this bizarre undercard for Jones vs. Gane
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Speaking of Sergei Pavlovich, Belal Muhammad recalled the ‘Razor’ Curtis Blaydes calling him out voluntarily. He told Joe Rogan, “Curtis Blaydes called him out… He’s like, ‘Yeah, I know everybody saw that, they were wanting to try to get my reaction to this fight. Ciryl Gane is getting it back to back. Whatever, alright. It’s cool. Give me Sergei(Pavlovich) next and I’ll show you guys my worth.'”
Upon learning this, Rogan immediately called for Pavlovich vs. Blaydes for the UFC 285 undercard. And his reasoning is quite justified, too. The 55-year-old said, “That’d be great for the undercard. So you have Jon Jones (vs.) Ciryl Gane and then Curtis Blaydes and Sergie in the undercard? Woah! Woah! Big fellas. Big fellas throwing hammers. I like that.”
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That indeed sounds like a loaded card. If put up the way, hypothetically, this card could potentially serve to be the biggest PPV event of the UFC. We hope Dana White is listening.
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