UFC star Jon Jones calls Ciril Gane ‘most incomplete top-five heavyweight’

Jon Jones called upcoming opponent Ciryl Gane “the most incomplete fighter in the top five” of a UFC heavyweight ahead of a title fight.

The two boxers will face off Saturday night in the octagon for the vacant UFC heavyweight title as Jones prepares for his first fight in three years.

Despite the long hiatus, Jones stated he couldn’t imagine “losing to someone like Ciryl Gane” and chastised the Frenchman for his performance against Francis Ngannou last year.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of UFC 285, Jones said, “I feel like Ciryl is the most incomplete fighter in the top five (heavyweight) right now. He has really good shots and very good footwork.

But I watched his fights. He got tired against Francis Ngannou. All that fancy footwork, supposedly the fastest heavyweight we’ve ever seen…all gone. One or two takedowns that made him very tired.

Jon Jones (pictured) says he has a hard time imagining losing his upcoming UFC title fight

The American will face French fighter Ciryl Gane (pictured) for the heavyweight belt

In January 2022, Gane faced then-champion Ngannou in a heavyweight title fight. The French fighter started well, but was eventually defeated by unanimous decision after his opponent had beaten him by three rounds.

“I’m a wrestler and that’s a different kind of endurance,” continued Jones. “A lot of people don’t like having someone on them and having them get back on their feet.

“He (Francis) could barely get his legs down moving so slowly and Gane didn’t destroy him. Francis wins his fights via knockouts in the first round but defeated Ciryl Gane.

“Since when did Francis become a guy who surpasses everyone else? His gift is knockout power. He was overworked by Francis, that tells me a lot.

I just can’t imagine losing to a guy like Ciryl Gane. I just can’t imagine him overworking me when he couldn’t overwork Francis.

Jones’ claim means he sees Gane as less of a threat than Stipe Miocic, Sergei Pavlovich, Curtis Blaydes and Tai Tuivas – whom Gane defeated in his last fight.

It should be noted that Jones’ last three appearances in the UFC, all of which resulted in wins, were decided by judges’ decision – a testament to his tireless work ethic during fights.

Jones’ comments also came shortly after he sent a warning message to his upcoming opponent and stated that he was “training my ass” for the fight.

Jones cheated on Gane for his performance against Francis Ngannou (top) last January

The former light heavyweight champion has not fought since February 2020 and subsequently announced his intention to strengthen and move up in the division.

His last appearance in the Octagon caused controversy as many fans suggested he was outclassed by Reyes – despite awarding him a unanimous decision win.

Gane, on the other hand, won his last fight convincingly but was previously outclassed by Francis Ngannou in his first attempt at the heavyweight title.

Jones was expected to return to the UFC and face heavyweight champion Ngannou before the latter turned down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time.