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Daniel Cormier believes Ciryl Gane might be a more challenging stylistic matchup for Jon Jones compared to Francis Ngannou.
The UFC heavyweight division was flipped upside down when Dana White announced that Ngannou was released from his contract. As a result, Jones vs. Gane will headline UFC 285 on March 4 for the undisputed heavyweight title. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Cormier reacted to the fight announcement:
“I thought Jon [Jones] vs. Francis [Ngannou] was the biggest and my most anticipated fight because of the dangers that Francis Ngannou presents to Jon Jones with the power and everything, but let’s not go crazy here and act as if Jon Jones has not seen power before. He’s seen power. Nothing like the power of Ngannou. I believe that what he has now is maybe a more difficult style matchup in Ciryl Gane…”
Watch Daniel Cormier discuss the UFC heavyweight division below:
Ngannou was openly in a contract dispute before his release. There were rumors of negotiations improving, but ‘The Predator’ ultimately didn’t receive the offer he was looking for. Meanwhile, Jones finally has a fight date for his heavyweight debut after last fighting against Dominick Reyes in February 2020.
Daniel Cormier on Francis Ngannou exit and Jon Jones at heavyweight
Francis Ngannou's last title defense was against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022, which he won via unanimous decision. Gane bounced back with a win against Tai Tuivasa in Paris, which put him one step closer to a title shot. With Ngannou now out of contract, the heavyweight division has sprung back into life.
In the same YouTube video, Daniel Cormier reacted to the new UFC heavyweight title picture. While 'DC' is disappointed that Ngannou is no longer in the promotion, he is clearly excited by the prospect of Jon Jones at heavyweight:
“Hate that Francis is gone. Love that Jones is at heavyweight. Love that it’s against Ciryl Gane also. Hate how Stipe Miocic has someone gotten lost in the whole mix of all this. I understand through conversations in the backside how hard the Francis Ngannou deal was tried to get done…”
A fight between Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones was reportedly being targeted last year, but ultimately fell through. Miocic also reacted to the shake-up atop the division and seemingly has his sights set on the Jones-Gane winner. The former champion is looking to return to action in July, per his latest tweet.
