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.
Oscar Willis
Dana White says they’re releasing Francis Ngannou.
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) 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
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