The Takedown | UFC: Jon Jones heavyweight stock continues to drop as division moves on to Gane vs Ngannou French superfight
- ‘Bones’ last fight was in February of 2020, and now the former light heavyweight champion looks to be fading away and falling out of conversations
- Jones is expected to get the winner of Gane vs Ngannou in 2022; however, we have seen this song and dance before with UFC president Dana White
“That’s true,” said White, who then turned to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby. “That was Sean. Yeah Ciryl, f*** it he gets $50,000 too, there you go. Good job John Morgan.”
White’s focus on the heavyweight division is now crystal clear: a showdown between the two Frenchmen, Gane and champion Francis Ngannou, is the talk of the town, and any other narrative will have to take a back seat until this unification sorts itself out. The two create a compelling storyline, both coached by Fernand Lopez at one point, Gane still with him while Ngannou left for Las Vegas and Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture after losing to Stipe Miocic in January 2018 at UFC 220.
Of course, White put it best: “Vince McMahon couldn’t have scripted Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane better.” These are two massive dudes who will surely put on a fight for the ages, and could create a trilogy bout down the road if they swap wins and their rivalry grows from nasty to downright viscous.
Amid all the chatter, one other heavyweight prospect was oddly light on tweets Saturday night amid Lewis vs Gane. Jon Jones, arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time, who has made a very public move up to heavyweight, was short in his offerings: “Great fights tonight.”
Jones previously tweeted on August 5, “Champion2022”. However, MMA fans can’t help but wonder if the heavyweight division might be passing him by. White clearly won’t bend when it comes to giving Jones what he wants, a dump truck of cash to make his heavyweight debut, straight into a title fight one must add.
