Ciryl Gane ready to fight Jon Jones if Francis Ngannou clash doesn't come to fruition
Ciryl Gane is ready to fight Jon Jones in March 2023 if not Francis Ngannou. 'Bon Gamin' is seemingly eager to go in March, even calling out Curtis Blaydes. The No.1 ranked heavyweight contender also seemingly hinted at a title fight. Gane wrote on Twitter:
"March sounds great for the start of #StrapSeason Ngannou, Jones, Blaydes, I don't care : it's anytime, anyone, anywhere."
Check out the tweet below:
March sounds great for the start of #StrapSeason 😏
Ngannou, Jones, Blaydes, I don't care : it's anytime, anyone, anywhere. https://t.co/FBn3vqbYwX
UFC president Dana White is reportedly targeting a UFC event in London in March which will most likely be headlined by a rubber matchup between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Jorge Masvidal has also expressed interest in fighting Gilbert Burns on the same card.
Gane has also thrown his name into the mix after MMA Junkie's Nolan King reported that the UFC is targeting Jon Jones' return on the same card as well. While the UFC's first preference will be Jones vs. Ngannou, it will depend on 'The Predator's' recovery from knee surgery and his contract negotiations with the promotion.
The UFC is considering both Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes as backups if Francis Ngannou can't fight Jon Jones
While Jon Jones has been ready to go for a long time, the UFC seemingly can't find a matchup for him. Due to Francis Ngannou's contract complications, the UFC was considering a matchup between Jones and Stipe Miocic, which also seems to have fizzled out by now.
According to MMA Junkie's Nolan King, the UFC is now considering Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes as backup options if Ngannou can't fight Jones. However, the promotion has some concerns about the timeline of the Frenchman's recovery. King wrote:
"I’m told the UFC also has a matchup against Curtis Blaydes as a prospective safety net should Ngannou not be ready. The UFC also has Ciryl Gane in consideration for a similar planning position as Blaydes, though there are concerns about his return timeline from injury."
Jon Jones nears a comeback for real, as the UFC plans his return for #UFC285 one way or another, I’m told. With Stipe Miocic out of the picture, Francis Ngannou is the hope. If he’s not healthy, it could be Curtis Blaydes, per sources.
That scoop, more:mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news…
Ciryl Gane is also in consideration (similar backup plan opton as Blaydes). However, the UFC has concern about his return timeline from injury.
Bottom line: the UFC wants JBJ on 285 and isn't discriminating against non-Ngannou/Miocic opponents. mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news…
Gane previously claimed that he would be out until 2023 after breaking his hand in a third-round TKO win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC in Paris in September.
🏽
So I'll be out of action for a few months guys, to heal my hand that broke during the fight with Tai. I will use that time to heal some other injuries as well and come back stronger than ever in 2023 💪🏽
I'm coming back for that belt, and I'm not going ANYWHERE 👑 https://t.co/V1VvLZtBVk
News of Jones' potential return in March also did not escape Curtis Blaydes, who recently confirmed that he'd be up for the challenge in a recent social media post.