Ciryl Gane ready to fight Jon Jones if Francis Ngannou clash doesn't come to fruition

Jon Jones (Left), Francis Ngannou (Middle), Ciryl Gane (Right) [Image courtesy: Getty, @BTSport on YouTube]
Jon Jones (Left), Francis Ngannou (Middle), Ciryl Gane (Right) [Image courtesy: Getty, @BTSport on YouTube]

Ciryl Gane is ready to fight Jon Jones in March 2023 if not Francis Ngannou. 'Bon Gamin' is seemingly eager to go in March, even calling out Curtis Blaydes. The No.1 ranked heavyweight contender also seemingly hinted at a title fight. Gane wrote on Twitter:

"March sounds great for the start of #StrapSeason Ngannou, Jones, Blaydes, I don't care : it's anytime, anyone, anywhere."

Check out the tweet below:

UFC president Dana White is reportedly targeting a UFC event in London in March which will most likely be headlined by a rubber matchup between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Jorge Masvidal has also expressed interest in fighting Gilbert Burns on the same card.

Gane has also thrown his name into the mix after MMA Junkie's Nolan King reported that the UFC is targeting Jon Jones' return on the same card as well. While the UFC's first preference will be Jones vs. Ngannou, it will depend on 'The Predator's' recovery from knee surgery and his contract negotiations with the promotion.


The UFC is considering both Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes as backups if Francis Ngannou can't fight Jon Jones

While Jon Jones has been ready to go for a long time, the UFC seemingly can't find a matchup for him. Due to Francis Ngannou's contract complications, the UFC was considering a matchup between Jones and Stipe Miocic, which also seems to have fizzled out by now.

According to MMA Junkie's Nolan King, the UFC is now considering Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes as backup options if Ngannou can't fight Jones. However, the promotion has some concerns about the timeline of the Frenchman's recovery. King wrote:

"I’m told the UFC also has a matchup against Curtis Blaydes as a prospective safety net should Ngannou not be ready. The UFC also has Ciryl Gane in consideration for a similar planning position as Blaydes, though there are concerns about his return timeline from injury."

Gane previously claimed that he would be out until 2023 after breaking his hand in a third-round TKO win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC in Paris in September.

News of Jones' potential return in March also did not escape Curtis Blaydes, who recently confirmed that he'd be up for the challenge in a recent social media post.

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Edited by Dave