Ciryl Gane explains why "semifinal" fight against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 made sense, reacts to "GOAT" Jon Jones beating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309
Ciryl Gane has addressed his high-stakes rematch against Alexander Volkov and his path to another title shot. Additionally, 'Bon Gamin' hailed former opponent Jon Jones after his win over Stipe Miocic.
Ex-interim UFC heavyweight champion Gane notably faced former UFC light heavyweight champion Jones for the vacant UFC heavyweight title back in March 2023. It marked Jones' heavyweight divisional debut, wherein he stopped Gane via first-round submission to become the UFC heavyweight champion.
Gane has competed just once since, beating Serghei Spivac via second-round TKO in Sep. 2023. The French combatant attempted and failed to capture the undisputed UFC heavyweight title twice, losing via unanimous decision to Francis Ngannou in January 2022 and by submission to Jones in March 2023.
Gane's setbacks notwithstanding, he's vowed to become the undisputed champion someday. The 34-year-old returns in a rematch against Russia's Volkov at UFC 310 (Dec.7, 2024). Their first fight, in June 2021, saw Gane defeat 'Drago' via unanimous decision.
During his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Gane was asked about his motivation for facing someone he's already beaten. He responded by alluding to the division's current landscape.
Suggesting that the Volkov rematch is a sort of semi-final clash en route to a title shot, Gane stated:
"At first, when the UFC proposed me this fight, I was a little bit, 'Oh, why?' But this fight makes sense. Like, I'm number one, he's number two, and this really makes sense. And behind me you have a little trouble, so I know this fight look like a semifinal to go to the belt. So it makes sense. This fight makes sense."
Check out Ciryl Gane's comments below (6:00):
Ciryl Gane deems Jon Jones the "G.O.A.T." after UFC 309 TKO win over Stipe Miocic
In the same interview, Ciryl Gane praised Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic for putting on a great fight at UFC 309 (Nov. 16, 2024). For context, Jones stopped Miocic via third-round TKO in a dominant performance. Gane indicated that the 42-year-old Miocic wasn't the same fighter he was five to six years ago but clarified that Miocic and Jones are still dangerous matchups.
Gane believes Jones has earned the right to choose legacy-building matches, possibly a money fight against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. He even pointed out that Jones deserves lucrative pay if he's to fight Tom Aspinall.
When questioned whether he was expecting Jones to look that good against Miocic, Gane praised 'Bones' as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time):
"Jon Jones is the G.O.A.T. So it was perfectly normal to have this kind of result. But yes, Stipe is a beautiful fighter. He did well during his career. And he is one of the better of the best of the division for sure, and he prove it. But yeah, I know Jon Jones is a real G.O.A.T. He's really smart during the fight, and he know what he must do." [7:50]