Ciryl Gane’s coach, Fernand Lopez, says Gane will “disrespect” Jones at UFC 285
CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri spoke with Fernand Lopez, coach to former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane ahead of his UFC heavyweight title bout against Jon Jones at UFC 285 this weekend.
Fernand Lopez discusses Francis Ngannou’s wrestling:
“We’re talking about Francis here. If Francis Ngannou is a monster, freak athlete.
“Stipe couldn’t take Francis down [in the second fight]. As a matter of fact, Francis Ngannou took Stipe down at some point. What you’re telling me is that no one is questioning the takedown of Stipe. What you’re telling me is that no one is questioning the wrestling of Stipe. People understand that Francis is tough. He’s been learning and he’s been improving. He’s 265 pounds, powerful and solid. He knows the fundamentals and the leverage to control and take people down. This guy was taken down by Ciryl Gane in the fifth round. Ciryl hit a single leg, perfect timing, to Francis and had him sit down. Where Stipe Miocic failed. Everyone is questioning the wrestling of Ciryl Gane.
“I think Jon Jones is the greatest fighter ever in the cage. If you think about the behavior and the skills inside the cage, Jon Jones is the one. He’s the perfect one… People tend to see Francis Ngannou as someone without wrestling or grappling whatsoever, which is sick. It’s so wrong. Anthony Hamilton got beat in the first round back then with a kimura. Francis has been bullying people in that department. You couldn’t take him down. Curtis Blaydes failed to take down Francis in two fights.”
Fernand Lopez says “time catches up with everyone” and that Ciryl Gane will “disrespect” Jones on Fight Night:
“Time catches up with everyone…
“I will still say that Jon Jones, for me, is the greatest. That’s a huge honor for us to step in there against him. Ciryl has a lot of respect for him outside of the cage… People will be surprised how little respect he will give him in the cage. In order to be the champ, you have to disrespect the champ.”
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