Even though retired, Jon Jones had connections to both men who fought for the interim UFC heavyweight title fight in the co-main event of UFC Freedom 250 – which took place last month on the South Lawn of the White House. Ciryl Gane put away Alex Pereira, with some controversy, to spoil the Brazilian’s move up to heavyweight and claim for a second time an interim UFC heavyweight title.
Jones fought and submitted Gane in 2023 to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight title at the time and cement himself, for many, as the greatest fighter of all time. For well over a year after winning the heavyweight title, Jones campaigned for a fight against Pereira – who at the time held the UFC light heavyweight title.
In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Jones weighed in on both fighters’ performances at UFC White House:
Jones on Gane’s performance and capture of a second UFC interim title:
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, and I know that this is probably going to sound arrogant, but I feel like you shouldn’t hang your hat on losing to me. I have a really special gift when it comes to this fighting. Losing to me doesn’t mean that you’re going to be losing, or that you’re a bad fighter. I made the Gane fight look fairly easy, but to the rest of the world, he’s one of the most special heavyweights in recent history. So I knew that Cyril Gane, I felt like he would win. I know what he possesses. I studied Cyril Gane for many days, for many hours, and I know that he’s strong and he’s scrappy, and I see the way that he’s training. I mean, he covers everything: The wrestling, the fitness aspect, the speed. I mean, he’s a special athlete, so I’m really happy for Cyril Gane. I really am.”
Jones on Pereira’s failed UFC heavyweight debut:
“I watched the fight for sure. I felt like Pereira, he came in too big. I think he would have been better off fighting around 230, 235 (pounds), keeping that speed. I feel like his power would have possibly translated over. But in the fight, you just saw him, he was waiting. He was second-guessing things. He was questioning things. And that’s one of the worst things to do in a fight. It feels like a nightmare. When you’re out there in front of your opponent and you know the moves and you know that you should throw that punch or throw that kick or go for that takedown and you just don’t. You find yourself out there watching instead of doing, and I’ve had it happen to me many times in practice. I felt like that’s what happened to Alex. He never really got his ball rolling. Ciryl Gane came at him, southpaw stance, which also, I think, challenges Pereira. He was fast, he was powerful, he was unorthodox, and it was the perfect storm for Pereira. He didn’t survive it. I wish Alex all the best, though.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jon Jones grades Pereira, Gane’s UFC White House performances
About the Author
