• Ciryl Gane prepares to compete against Tai Tuivasa in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night 209 event at the Accor Arena in Paris, on September 3, 2022. AFP
    Ciryl Gane prepares to compete against Tai Tuivasa in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night 209 event at the Accor Arena in Paris, on September 3, 2022. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane lands a high kick on Tai Tuivasa during their heavyweight fight at the UFC event at the Accor Arena in Paris, on September 3, 2022. AFP
    Ciryl Gane lands a high kick on Tai Tuivasa during their heavyweight fight at the UFC event at the Accor Arena in Paris, on September 3, 2022. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane competes against Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane competes against Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Tai Tuivasa evades a punch from Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight fight in Paris. AFP
    Tai Tuivasa evades a punch from Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight fight in Paris. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane kicks Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane kicks Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane parries a punch from Tai Tuivasa during their heavyweight fight at the UFC event in Paris. AFP
    Ciryl Gane parries a punch from Tai Tuivasa during their heavyweight fight at the UFC event in Paris. AFP
  • Tai Tuivasa blocks a punch from Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Tai Tuivasa blocks a punch from Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane is sent to the canvas by Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane is sent to the canvas by Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane attempts to evade a punch from Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane attempts to evade a punch from Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane lands a punch on Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane lands a punch on Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa compete in their heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa compete in their heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane competes against Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane competes against Tai Tuivasa during their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane celebrates after defeating Tai Tuivasa in their UFC heavyweight fight in Paris. AFP
    Ciryl Gane celebrates after defeating Tai Tuivasa in their UFC heavyweight fight in Paris. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane celebrates his victory over Tai Tuivasa following their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP
    Ciryl Gane celebrates his victory over Tai Tuivasa following their UFC heavyweight fight. AFP

Ciryl Gane says Jon Jones 'must prove himself' when they meet at UFC 285


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

As the antagonist in Jon Jones’ long-awaited comeback, and with the added significance of a world title on the line, Ciryl Gane might just be feeling the strain.

Far from it, as it happens.

“Not too much pressure,” Gane tells The National a few days from this weekend’s headline heavyweight bout at UFC 285 in Las Vegas. “More pressure than normal because it’s a big fight … because all of this.”

“All of this” references the highly anticipated return of Jones, the former long-time light heavyweight champion who competes in his first UFC fight in more than three years.

The American, who holds myriad records within the promotion such as youngest champion (23 years, eight months) and most title-fight wins (14), is considered by many the greatest MMA athlete of all-time.

Jones, now 35, has been beaten once in a 28-fight professional career (one was a No Contest). Consequently, he boasts the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history, at 18 bouts.

For extra intrigue, at T-Mobile Arena on early Sunday morning UAE, Jones will debut at heavyweight, where he will battle for the belt vacated in January by free agent Francis Ngannou. Win, and Jones becomes only the eighth two-division champion in UFC history.

So the pressure should really be pinching – for both combatants.

“It’s going to be a new Jon Jones, a new division, but he’s still going to be really sharp, really fast, with a high level,” Gane says. “So we did a camp on Jon Jones like he was before, but with more prime. That’s it. We’re expecting this.

“And apart from that, I’ve no pressure because I’m still confident. I’m going to have a pressure, but the good stress you see when you’re to jump in the cage. Like every time."

In Gane's mind at least, Jones has more weighing on him.

“I started MMA five years ago; the pressure is maybe not on my shoulders. It’s maybe more on him, because he must prove [himself]," he says. "Because he knows the situation, that he’s going to be more uncomfortable.

“I’m about the fight; how can I beat my opponent? That’s it. So that’s why this doesn’t put me in more pressure. I’m really focused on the guy in front of me.”

  • Ciryl Gane receives the UFC interim heavyweight championship belt from UFC president Dana White after defeating Derrick Lewis during UFC 265 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on August 7, 2021. Getty
    Ciryl Gane receives the UFC interim heavyweight championship belt from UFC president Dana White after defeating Derrick Lewis during UFC 265 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on August 7, 2021. Getty
  • Ciryl Gane speaks during the post fight press conference after defeating Derrick Lewis for the UFC interim heavyweight title belt during UFC 265. AFP
    Ciryl Gane speaks during the post fight press conference after defeating Derrick Lewis for the UFC interim heavyweight title belt during UFC 265. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane speaks during the post fight press conference. AFP
    Ciryl Gane speaks during the post fight press conference. AFP
  • Derrick Lewis kicks Ciryl Gane during their Heavyweight bout. AFP
    Derrick Lewis kicks Ciryl Gane during their Heavyweight bout. AFP
  • Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane square off. AFP
    Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane square off. AFP
  • Derrick Lewis swings at Ciryl Gane. AFP
    Derrick Lewis swings at Ciryl Gane. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane reacts after defeating Derrick Lewis in the third round. AFP
    Ciryl Gane reacts after defeating Derrick Lewis in the third round. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane kicks Derrick Lewis. AFP
    Ciryl Gane kicks Derrick Lewis. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane punches Derrick Lewis on the mat. AFP
    Ciryl Gane punches Derrick Lewis on the mat. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane gestures to the crowd after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP
    Ciryl Gane gestures to the crowd after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP
  • Derrick Lewis, left, takes a punch from Ciryl Gane. AP Photo
    Derrick Lewis, left, takes a punch from Ciryl Gane. AP Photo
  • Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane grapple during their Heavyweight bout at Toyota Center. AFP
    Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane grapple during their Heavyweight bout at Toyota Center. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane gestures to the crowd after defeating Derrick Lewis in the third round. AFP
    Ciryl Gane gestures to the crowd after defeating Derrick Lewis in the third round. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane looks to his coaches after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP
    Ciryl Gane looks to his coaches after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP
  • Ciryl Gane looks on after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP
    Ciryl Gane looks on after defeating Derrick Lewis. AFP

Gane, who excelled initially in Muay Thai, may have started MMA in 2018, but he has packed in a lot already. It took him only three years to race to a 10-0 record, the last bout in that stretch securing the UFC’s interim heavyweight belt.

Gane suffered his sole pro defeat in the next outing, losing the undisputed clash against Ngannou by unanimous decision at UFC 270 in January last year. Rendered redundant for the majority, he was smothered by the imposing Cameroonian.

Yet Gane rebounded last September with a display of mettle and might at the top of the bill on the UFC’s first event in France, the dynamic heavyweight’s homeland. There, he defeated the surging Tai Tuivasa by third-round knockout.

On Sunday, Gane says, the experiences of UFC 270 and UFC Paris will serve him well.

“Of course,” he offers. “This is going to help me for sure. I’m young in my career, but I’m known as a veteran. People talk about me like I’m here from a long time.

“My first fight in the UFC was 2019, and there was one year break because of the [Covid-19 pandemic]. But we did a lot at the top already. This has handed me more experience, for sure. The fight in Paris, the fight with Francis, all my main events, are going to help me with this.”

Gane, 32, says the main feeling this week is pride, pride in having achieved so much in a short space of time. Pride in that it has led him to Jones and a second shot at undisputed UFC gold.

While Jones has not competed since his contentious decision victory against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020, Gane has fought six times between now and then.

How Jones performs following his lengthy lay-off – much of which was self-imposed, with personal issues and a pay dispute with UFC – provides one of the principal plotlines heading into UFC 285.

Will he be affected adversely by the break?

  • Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones punches at Daniel Comier during their UFC 182 title fight on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
    Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones punches at Daniel Comier during their UFC 182 title fight on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
  • Jone Jones and Daniel Cormier grapple during their fight at UFC 182 on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
    Jone Jones and Daniel Cormier grapple during their fight at UFC 182 on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
  • Challenger Daniel Cormier lifts Jon Jones for a slam during their title fight at UFC 182 on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
    Challenger Daniel Cormier lifts Jon Jones for a slam during their title fight at UFC 182 on Saturday. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
  • Jon Jones kicks Daniel Cormier during their fight at UFC 182 on Saturday in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP
    Jon Jones kicks Daniel Cormier during their fight at UFC 182 on Saturday in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP
  • Daniel Cormier hits Jon Jones during their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 182. John Locher / AP
    Daniel Cormier hits Jon Jones during their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 182. John Locher / AP
  • Jon Jones kicks Daniel Cormier during their fight on Saturday at UFC 182. John Locher / AP
    Jon Jones kicks Daniel Cormier during their fight on Saturday at UFC 182. John Locher / AP
  • Jon Jones celebrates after defeating Daniel Cormier during their light heavyweight title fight on Saturday at UFC 182 in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP
    Jon Jones celebrates after defeating Daniel Cormier during their light heavyweight title fight on Saturday at UFC 182 in Las Vegas. John Locher / AP
  • Daniel Cormier leaves the arena after suffering his first loss in UFC to Jon Jones on Saturday night at UFC 182. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
    Daniel Cormier leaves the arena after suffering his first loss in UFC to Jon Jones on Saturday night at UFC 182. Steve Marcus / Getty Images / AFP
  • Jon Jones celebrates while posing with his corner after defeating Daniel Cormier to defend his light heavyweight title at UFC 182 in Las Vegas on Saturday. John Locher / AP
    Jon Jones celebrates while posing with his corner after defeating Daniel Cormier to defend his light heavyweight title at UFC 182 in Las Vegas on Saturday. John Locher / AP

“I think he tried to do a lot of sparring to balance this,” Gane says. “We like to say in my gym that it’s very important to do sparring because sparring looks like a little fight.

“So even if you don’t fight for one or two years, or three, if you do some big sparring, this is an experience. So I don’t put this on my mind.

“But, yes, it’s not exactly the same as when you’re in the real competition, of course. It’s always better to be, not in a rush, but to have some activities. Maybe it is going to an advantage for me on this.”

Although, given Jones’ credentials, Gane is taking nothing for granted.

“We know he has a really good wrestling game,” he says. “I’ve got good striking. So I’m thinking he doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on his feet; he wants for sure to go to the ground game. So we did a lot during the camp about that.

“And after that we’ll see. I can’t say it’s going to be like that, or like that. We will see how he’s going to do … how I’m going to do also.”

Jones has been increasingly vocal in the build-up, primarily on social media. Last week, he suggested Gane was being overhyped for the fight, questioning the Frenchman's kickboxing and ground game, even the opponents he has faced thus far in the octagon.

Again, though, Gane doesn’t seem particularly perplexed.

“I don’t have a really good answer for him,” he says. “Just the people who look at my fights on the striking game know I have good striking game. I did well against some guys who really, really dangerous in striking, so I think I proved it.

“If he doesn’t want to say that, no problem.”

Gane finishes that sentence with a huge laugh, reinforcing that the pressure is not consuming him this week, after all. However, he is aware of what is at stake: it is not simply the heavyweight belt that serves as motivation, but the reputation of the man standing across the cage.

“This is a title,” Gane says. “This looks like a title. You have the belt, but you have also this title. Because a lot of people talk about this guy as a GOAT [Greatest Of All Time], all the stuff like that.

“So, this is going to put something really beautiful on my CV. For sure, it’s something big.”

The specs

Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Kerb weight: 1580kg

Price: From Dh750k

On sale: via special order

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Moving%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SMG%20Studio%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Team17%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

TOURNAMENT INFO

Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5

8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers

Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.

TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

HOW TO WATCH

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

Result

UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')

Napoleon
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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Ad Astra

Director: James Gray

Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones

Five out of five stars 

The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

SERIES INFO

Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
 
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal

Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff

 1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

Updated: March 02, 2023, 3:42 AM