Former UFC fighter explains why Ciryl Gane lost Jon Jones fight before even stepping inside the octagon
Former UFC fighter Din Thomas believes Jon Jones had already beaten Ciryl Gane before the pair faced off in the octagon.
UFC 285 was headlined by Jones and Gane, who competed for the vacant heavyweight title. Their clash marked the end of the former light heavyweight champion's three-year hiatus from the UFC as well as his debut in the 265-pound division.
Much had been made prior to the fight about whether or not Jones would be able to handle the speed, size and power of 'Bon Gamin', which was on show during his KO victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris. However, the 35-year-old made it look like business as usual as he wrestled the French fighter to the mat and forced him to submit in just over two minutes after the opening bell.
jon jones put in zero effort to sink in that choke. gane didn’t even think about fighting his hands https://t.co/ARXNQKlSfV
Din Thomas, who was on the analyst desk during the fight, has reflected on Ciryl Gane's performance. According to Thomas, 'Bon Gamin's' lack of experience meant the pressure of the occasion got to him:
"We can't forget he only has what? 12 fights? He's only made a walk to the octagon 12 times, in the span of four years. The fact he has so little experience, he doesn't do this every week. To go up against the GOAT, on his return after three years, with the spotlight on him. He's looking out into the crowd, there's Tom Brady and Mark Wahlberg... The world is watching, it doesn't surprise me that he was a deer in headlights and just absolutely froze!"
Catch Thomas' comments here:
"Jon Jones choked Ciryl Gane BEFORE he choked Ciryl Gane."
@RJcliffordMMA & @DinThomas discuss Jon Jones & his art of winning the fight before the fight. #UFC285 https://t.co/iBBUKFtBNi
Ciryl Gane reflects on loss to Jon Jones at UFC 285
Following his loss in the UFC 285 main event to Jon Jones, Ciryl Gane faced the media to answer questions about the fight and his performance.
The loss to 'Bones' meant that for the second time, 'Bon Gamin' came up short whilst trying to capture the undisputed heavyweight title. The first was against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 last year.
When asked about the fight, the 32-year-old was critical of his own performance and admitted to feeling like he had let his family and coaches down. Gane also stated the anger he felt toward himself was because he didn't execute the game plan that he and his team had worked on:
"The biggest feeling is really angry about myself. Yes, we accepted this fight but the time was not for long. But man, we worked a lot and we spent a lot of time in the gym, sparring. I'm really angry about myself as I spent a lot of time with my partner, my coaches, my family and I don't reflect that in the fight."
Catch Ciryl Gane's post-fight comments here: