Ciryl Gane is gearing up for the biggest fight of his MMA career yet! He will face one of the greatest fighters of all time, Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 285. The bout will have the vacant heavyweight title on the line, as the former champ Francis Ngannou is no longer with the UFC. However, ahead of the fight, there are some concerns regarding injuries.
Recently, former UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen speculated if Jon Jones was injured or not. According to Chael, Jon is doing more pool workouts because the former UFC light heavyweight fighter is battling with injuries. Although that may just be pure speculation from Jon, the injury woe regarding Ciryl Gane is much more real.
BIG. FIGHT. FEELS. #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/IkVhkyQ1me
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In some recent pictures, fans spotted Gane with a swollen right hand. It came to be after his last fight when Gane broke his hand in a slugfest against Tai Tuivasa. He underwent surgery and took off some time to heal the hand. However, it does not look like the swelling has decreased. But, according to Ciryl Gane himself, there is no problem with his hand.
Ciryl Gane confirms his hand is not injured pic.twitter.com/KQHIaJqrQW
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During the pre-fight press conference, Gane revealed, “She’s (right hand) healthy, really healthy. I got no problem.” Gane continued, “Since the injury to today, nothing, nothing. Everything is perfect.” So it does not look like any sort of injury will play a spoil-sport in the fight. However, in case anything goes wrong with either fighter, 3rd ranked heavyweight fighter Sergei Pavlovich will step in as the replacement.
Ciryl Gane wanted an extra month to heal before fighting Jon Jones
Any sort of injury for a fighter can prove to be career-altering. Hence, one can never rush in to accept a fight without completely healing from an injury. It is also true for Ciryl Gane, who is primarily a striker. Hence, the condition of his hands is an extremely important factor in the fight. Gane has great power, which may give Jones a lot of trouble.
However, if Gane is not at 100%, it will be a huge advantage for Jones, who will be less fearful of Ganes’s striking while shooting for takedowns. Jonny Bones recently called Gane “the most incomplete fighter” in the heavyweight division due to his lack of wrestling skills. On top of that, if Ciryl’s hands are injured, it will be nearly impossible for him to stuff any takedowns.
After the bout was made official by UFC President Dana White, Gane had an interview with James Lynch. In the interview, Gane revealed that he would have loved an extra month to heal the hand completely. But, once he was informed that it was not an option, “Bon Gamin” accepted the fight either way. But fortunately for him, the injury has not bothered him since.
Gane added, “We talked with Hunter and during the discussion, we knew already with Fernand Lopez (Gane’s coach) it’s gonna be not possible to change the date. The date is 4th March and during the decision we understand. For me, to have a little (bit more time), may be one more month probably it will be (a) good idea.”
“But so we started directly when we came back to Vegas and we started with the big jump in the gym. And, that’s why I’m so happy because I got no injury, I got nothing. And, we push my body. I’m so happy about that,” concluded Gane.
So what do you think about the matter? Do you think Gane is rushing? If you do, will it impact his performance at UFC 285 on March 4? Let us know in the comments down below.
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