#UFC285: Why Ciryl Gane will beat Jon Jones – Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya has picked Ciryl Gane to beat Jon Jones when both fighters go for the vacant UFC Heavyweight title at UFC285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend.
Jon Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) has not fought in more than three years and in his return fight, he is going against one of UFC heavyweight finest, Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
Adesanya described Gane as one of the new breed fighters who could do just everything and would prove too much for Jons who has not fought in years.
“Jones out for three years, (and) Gane’s been active – he’s that new breed of heavyweight,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “He’s light on his feet, very mixed striking, good grappling. People forget just because Francis took him down, but I think that’s the element of surprise, as well. Francis is strong as f*ck and knows how to wrestle.
“So when Gane wasn’t expecting it, he thought he was going to have to bang with Francis because that’s what Francis is known for. But Gane can grapple, man. The way he fights as a heavyweight, he’s so light. He does the oblique kick well, great footwork, good submissions so far. Real creative, real random ones, like a heel hook. Good leg kicks, as well. Jones’ wrestling, that’s his superpower, isn’t it? And range control.”
Despite picking Ciryl Gane to win the fight, Israel Adesanya says Jon Jones should not be ruled out as ‘Bones’ can pull an upset.
“The thing is, three years, bro,” Adesanya said. “Three years away from the game is a hard ask for any man just to be away from fighting for that long. There’s a few, special few, that can actually f*ck off and come back and still look great, and I feel like Jon’s one of them. But again, when you talk about special few fighters, trust me, Ciryl’s one of those guys, as well.
“If you want to wake up for a guy in the morning, this is the guy. Ciryl Gane, ‘Bon Gamin’ – he’s game. This is a guy to wake up for. I think because of activity, to be honest, and who he is, I’m going to go Ciryl, but I won’t be surprised if ‘Bones’ wins.”
The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas 10 pm EST on Saturday, 4 am Nigerian time on Sunday.
