Ciryl Gane’s latest win has drawn reactions from two former UFC heavyweight champions after he stopped Alex Pereira to recapture the interim heavyweight title.
Gane defeated Pereira in the UFC White House co-main event at Freedom 250, finishing the fight in the second round in Abu Dhabi. The bout saw Pereira attempt to claim a third UFC title in a third weight class.
Jon Jones, who previously defeated Gane in their UFC 285 title fight in early 2023, reacted on social media, writing, "Congratulations to the new heavyweight champion Gane," and adding, "You looked great out there tonight."
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also weighed in on the result, posting, "Congratulations Bon Gamin for the wonderful performance," and signing off, "Sincerely, LHC." Ngannou had reacted to the UFC White House co-main event and referred to himself as lineal heavyweight champion.
In the broader heavyweight picture, Jon Jones chose retirement instead of defending the heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall, then sought to return after UFC announced its White House card. Gane and Aspinall previously fought to a no contest due to an eye poke in their UFC 321 main event in Abu Dhabi.
