Ciryl Gane reflects on devastating quick defeat by Jon Jones at UFC 285

Ciryl Gane has admitted that he is ‘angry’ with himself after suffering a crushing defeat to Jon Jones at UFC 285.

Jones underlined his status as one of the all-time greats after picking up a submission victory, just two minutes and four seconds into the first round. 

There were no signs of rust from Jones – making his return after three years – as he secured the first takedown he attempted and forced Gane to tap in a guillotine choke – making the Frenchman look amateurish.

Gane has had an immensely impressive young career in the sport, but Jones handed him a chastening defeat, and the 32-year-old said it was a painful one to take.

After the fight he said: ‘I’m disappointed, of course, but the biggest feeling for me is really angry at myself.

Ciryl Gane suffered a painful defeat to Jon Jones at UFC 285 as the American took him down inside the first round and made the Frenchman tap out while in a guillotine choke

Gane (right) said after the fight that he was ‘angry’ after the worst defeat of his career

Gane walks away from the octagon after his defeat, and he has vowed to work on his ground game

‘I’m angry because I spent a lot of time with my coaches, sparring partners, family, and it didn’t reflect in the fight.

‘My start was really not good, he got the clinch, went to ground and tried to have my back. I was comfortable, I was afraid about the referee and my coach was saying ‘don’t stay in this position, this is a bad position’, during training. 

‘So I tried to move and he adapted at exactly the moment I moved. It f***** me off. S***. This is a real loss, the first real loss I’ve had. The one against Francis (Ngannou) was not a big loss for me, I learned, but it was not too big. But this one is so painful. 

‘So now, this is the past and I must go forward. I’m going to go straight to the gym and work on my ground game.’

It is the second defeat of his career after the former interim UFC heavyweight champion lost to Ngannou at UFC 270 – in a bout which he was ahead after the opening two rounds before his opponent turned the fight around to win via unanimous decision.

Gane slumped back against the cage after he tapped out to Jones who was making his return

It is the second defeat of Gane’s (left) career after previously losing out to Francis Ngannou

This one will be a tougher defeat to come back from after Jones destroyed Gane inside the first round.

Jones joins an elite class of fighters who have won UFC titles at two weight divisions, including Conor McGregor and his rival Daniel Cormier.

Two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was ringside watching the contest, and Jones immediately called out the former title holder.

‘Stipe Miocic, I hope you’re training,’ he said. ‘You’re the greatest heavyweight of all time and I want you. I want you real bad.’