The MMA community was left in disbelief Saturday after news broke that Francis Ngannou’s UFC run is done and Jon Jones would fight Ciryl Gane for vacant gold.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) could not come to terms on a new contract with the organization and, as a result, parted ways. That opened the door for Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) vs. Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) to be booked to headline UFC 285, which takes place March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Did the UFC make a misstep in failing to bring back Ngannou? Was Jones vs. Gane the correct fight to make in the aftermath of a failed deal?
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to the major development in the UFC heavyweight title picture.
MMA Junkie
Jon Jones is back! He's set to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at #UFC285.
Francis Ngannou has parted ways with UFC.
Full story: https://t.co/xS3Bhyg44l pic.twitter.com/ph9vpKGWPj
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 15, 2023
Oscar Willis
Dana White says they're releasing Francis Ngannou.
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) January 15, 2023
Caposa
Crazy times. First UFC champ to walk out of the promotion since BJ Penn in 2004. https://t.co/0IjsqnqJSP
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 15, 2023
Mike Bohn
White also confirmed Jon Jones has signed a new 8-fight contract with the UFC. https://t.co/utMGp62yWh
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) January 15, 2023
Megan Anderson
What is going on in the world of mma in 2023 👀
We are 14 days in and already a Rollercoaster 😵💫 https://t.co/ViHeyWqvdi
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) January 15, 2023
George Garcia
If the baddest man on the planet is under your banner, you don't part ways with him, you figure it out.
This is unfortunate news. https://t.co/iTBqKrMDu2
— Gorgeous George (@MMAJunkieGeorge) January 15, 2023
PFL
— PFL (@PFLMMA) January 15, 2023
Scott Coker
From Feb. 20, 2022 – Scott Coker Open To Bringing @Francis_Ngannou To @BellatorMMA https://t.co/V9vSRqvv5E
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) January 15, 2023
MMA Junkie
"We offered Francis a deal that would've made him the highest paid heavyweight in the history of the company."
Dana White says Francis Ngannou turned down a new contract before being released from UFC.
Full interview: https://t.co/xS3BhygBTT pic.twitter.com/GSMHja6fsH
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 15, 2023
UFC
Coach to Champ???
See you in March @Ciryl_Gane! 🇫🇷 #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/NoknrM9Gxs
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 15, 2023
MMA Junkie
Ciryl Gane doesn't see Jon Jones having "a good way to win against me" when they fight for vacant gold at #UFC285.
Full interview: https://t.co/xS3BhygBTT pic.twitter.com/nNDO3A7fdf
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 15, 2023
MMAFA
Why would an all time great sign an 8-fight deal at peak of earning potential when current champ left as free agent?
As always, the @UFC manipulated access to title to obtain a result. This is how fighters are exploited.#AliAct2MMA
Come to DC with @francis_ngannou @JonnyBones https://t.co/ZdG7t6oVce
— MMAFA (@MMAFA) January 15, 2023
Charles Jourdain
Bones vs Bon Gamin .. it's been awhile since we had such a big and great fight ! Hope the war gods put no injuries in their way
— CharlesAirJourdain (@JourdainAir) January 15, 2023
Derek Brunson
Fighters in other promotions when they found out Francis Ngannou is a free agent 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/fg3uhGrGD2
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 15, 2023
Ciryl Gane
Dream BIG 😤#UFC285 pic.twitter.com/JJE6hy04TU
— Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) January 15, 2023
Bill Quarantillo
Yo you guys see this? What do you think it means… pic.twitter.com/2Z9Ch3QsVL
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) January 15, 2023
Stipe Miocic
March 4th – I like it.
I got winner in July.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) January 15, 2023
Renato Moicano
John fooking bones +100 underdog….. god dammm… I would bet my house if I could….. damned be you James Krause #ufc #mma
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) January 15, 2023
Arnold Allen
Imagine Francis Ngannou bare knuckle 😅 10oz gloves is a scary thought aswell actually, fuck that
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) January 15, 2023
Curtis Blaydes
Curtis Blaydes has responded to the Jones vs. Gane fight news, via his Facebook pic.twitter.com/AgswKPbUIg
— MMA mania (@mmamania) January 15, 2023
Eddie Alvarez
Ufc simply lost the bid for Francis , instead of admitting that , they go with the narrative the the Scariest mother fucker alive is Afraid to fight in the UFC hahhahahahhahahahhahahahhaa These jokes write themselves #PHSUnreal
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 16, 2023
