Jon Jones has offered a detailed breakdown of Ciryl Gane’s interim UFC heavyweight title victory over Alex Pereira in their controversial clash at UFC Freedom 250.
Gane defeated Pereira in an interim heavyweight title fight staged on the South Lawn of the White House last month, claiming an interim UFC heavyweight belt for the second time. The result was described as having some controversy attached to it, but Jones focused on what he saw from both men inside the cage.
Speaking to Red Corner MMA, Jones praised Gane’s performance and skill set, saying, "I don't want to sound arrogant, and I know that this is probably going to sound arrogant, but I feel like you shouldn't hang your hat on losing to me. I have a really special gift when it comes to this fighting. Losing to me doesn't mean that you're going to be losing, or that you're a bad fighter. I made the Gane fight look fairly easy, but to the rest of the world, he's one of the most special heavyweights in recent history. So I knew that Cyril Gane, I felt like he would win. I know what he possesses. I studied Cyril Gane for many days, for many hours, and I know that he's strong and he's scrappy, and I see the way that he's training. I mean, he covers everything: The wrestling, the fitness aspect, the speed. I mean, he's a special athlete, so I'm really happy for Cyril Gane. I really am."
Jones also critiqued Pereira’s approach, adding, "I watched the fight for sure. I felt like Pereira, he came in too big. I think he would have been better off fighting around 230, 235 (pounds), keeping that speed. I feel like his power would have possibly translated over. But in the fight, you just saw him, he was waiting. He was second-guessing things. He was questioning things. And that's one of the worst things to do in a fight. It feels like a nightmare. When you're out there in front of your opponent and you know the moves and you know that you should throw that punch or throw that kick or go for that takedown and you just don't. You find yourself out there watching instead of doing, and I've had it happen to me many times in practice. I felt like that's what happened to Alex. He never really got his ball rolling. Ciryl Gane came at him, southpaw stance, which also, I think, challenges Pereira. He was fast, he was powerful, he was unorthodox, and it was the perfect storm for Pereira. He didn't survive it. I wish Alex all the best, though."
