As soon as the first UFC event of 2023 was wrapped up it was announced that former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will compete for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March.
‘Bones’ has been inactive since he vacated the light heavyweight title in 2020. Meanwhile, Gane bounced back inside the win column last year after his defeat against Francis Ngannou. It is surely a piece of exciting news for the fans.
Ciryl Gane will face Jon Jones for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 💪 pic.twitter.com/iWy2MKMUiM
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 15, 2023
However, this also marks the unfortunate exit of one of the most decorated heavyweight champions Francis Ngannou from UFC. Let’s look at how fans reacted to the news.
Fight fans go crazy after Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane announcement
Initially, it was reported that UFC accidentally displayed the poster of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane outside the T-Mobile Arena. Many MMA news outlets covered the incident. However, after the conclusion of UFC Fight Night, UFC officially announced the fight on social media.
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Given their fighting style and previous UFC outcomes, Jones vs. Gane is sure to bring fireworks inside the cage. Thus, fans were overjoyed after the news of the heavyweight title fight broke out. Check out some comments from the fans below.
I won’t believe it until they’re walking to the cage.
— Todd Wentworth (@ToddWentworth) January 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/RipDraCo__/status/1614462208582291461?s=20&t=iPnYrlZ0vRGT3OCFCj_hVw
Crazy how I was just saying how good this would be for @JonnyBones to get coming back, and look at that. This fight with the belt attached. 🙏🏽💪🏽
— TheFlowMann (@iflowmannMMA) January 15, 2023
Got them Anderson Silva Weidman nerves again…
— The Madd Capper (@MaybeItsFauny) January 15, 2023
This is the best match up we could have gotten on @JonnyBones return. 🔥
— Jordan Bink (@HeyJordanBink) January 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/Miggy1112/status/1614465487135559681?s=20&t=iPnYrlZ0vRGT3OCFCj_hVw
Francis Ngannou officially leaves UFC
The Cameroonian heavyweight fighter had a long-running contract dispute with the promotion. It was initially also reported that Ngannou was on the verge of leaving UFC. Unfortunately, now ‘The Predator’ has been officially removed from the UFC roster vacating the heavyweight title.
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UFC president Dana White also confirmed the news in a press conference post-UFC Fight Night. According to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani’s tweet, White had offered the former champion a deal that could have made him the highest-paid heavyweight ever.
However, it seems like it wasn’t just enough for ‘The Predator.’ Ngannou is definitely one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time. The Cameroonian rose to the ranks by defeating contenders with his devastating one-punch power. Now he departs from the UFC with a 17-3 record under his name. From boxing to PFL, ‘The Predator’ has multiple options to go for next. However, it remains to see what Ngannou chooses.
What do you think Ngannou will choose after leaving UFC? Are you guys excited for Jones vs. Gane?
