Jon Jones was quick to respond after an old rival claimed interim gold on Sunday.
Bones had already beaten Gane in a short fight in March 2023 at UFC 285, where he secured a submission win in just over two minutes.
Since that loss, Gane has put together three straight victories, the latest coming in impressive fashion at UFC Freedom 250.
Jon Jones praises Ciryl Gane for interim title win
Gane defeated Tom Aspinall to claim the heavyweight interim title. He picked up a split decision victory, despite breaking his right hand early in the fight. He even outstruck the Briton on one leg, after suffering an injury to his calf late in round four.
The two-time interim champion then gave credit to Aspinall and took aim at Jon Jones by stating: “There’s no doubt, I am now the best heavyweight on the planet!”
But his future lies beyond September as he is planning a big-money return with Tyson Fury currently being targeted for him inside Saudi Arabia’s new Riyadh Season card. If that doesn’t materialise, Alex Pereira could become an option after recently knocking out Jiri Prochazka to defend his light-heavyweight crown for a second time.
Jon Jones responds as Ciryl Gane claims the Interim Heavyweight Title
Ciryl Gane knocked out Alex Pereira at the White House to claim the interim UFC heavyweight title, stopping the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion inside two rounds.
Soon after the result was announced, Jon Jones posted a video on Instagram showing his quiet reaction.
He later followed up with a message of support for Gane on social media, posting:
“Congratulations to the new heavyweight champion. Gane, you looked great out there tonight.”
Why Jon Jones was absent from the White House Card
Jon Jones decided to end his short-lived retirement when he found out the UFC would be hosting an event at the White House.
The 38-year-old spent months trying to persuade Dana White to put him on the card.
Jones later said he was offered $15 million to fight Alex Pereira at the landmark event, though Dana White has always maintained that Jones was never in consideration for UFC Freedom 250.
White also said he couldn’t trust Jones after he withdrew from a $30 million bout against Tom Aspinall. Right now, it’s unclear if we’ll see Jones return to action in a UFC octagon, as he recently spoke about trying to get out of his current contract with the promotion.
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