Jon Jones is throwing his support behind former opponent Ciryl Gane ahead of Gane’s rematch with Tom Aspinall, set after their first meeting at UFC 321 ended in an accidental eye poke.
Gane previously lost to Jones by quick submission in their vacant heavyweight title fight in March 2023, but has since rebounded with back-to-back wins over Serghei Spivac and Alexander Volkov, then a Round 2 TKO of Alex Pereira for the interim title at UFC Freedom 250.
“I believe Gane is going to win,” Jones said, pointing to the Frenchman’s surge in confidence. “When you become the champion and you beat a man like Alex Pereira, it has to do something for your confidence. Even in Gane's first fight with Tom Aspinall, Tom was looking pretty invincible until Ciryl Gane. Most people feel like Gane was winning that fight, so I feel like Gane's confidence has to be at an all-time high.”
Jones also recalled Gane’s reaction immediately after their own fight. “He slid up in front of me, he looked me in the eye, he shook my hand and he said, 'I'll be back, we're going to do this again,' and he said it like he meant it. That taught me a lot about his character right there. He wasn't mad, he wasn't bitter, he was a great sportsman, and he seemed more destined and determined than ever to the point where it was slightly intimidating.”
Tom Aspinall, promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion when Jones retired, is fully cleared to train following double eye surgery, and the rematch with Gane is set. Jones remains in the UFC’s drug-testing pool and does not rule out a return.
