Let's hear it...
Who takes it, and how?
I see this going one of two ways.
Jon looking ring-rusty, timing off, gets pieced up on the feet. UD by Gane, or possible tko from a barrage, started with something like a head kick or knee landed.
OR - Jon is able to mix up his kicking game and use it to time his entries, and plant Cyril on his back, and slashes him up with hellbows, getting a ref or Drs stoppage.
Going to go with the latter, based on Jon's fight IQ. 4th round stoppage due to cuts.
Agree on all that.One of the trickier match ups to predict due to all the contrasting factors.
Jones:
(-) Exhibited visible decline in his last fights, plus 3 years off and heavier body to carry around for the first time.
(-) Terrible lifestyle that surely adds to his already very long mileage.
(-) Hasn't managed to impose an offensive wrestling game plan since Gus 2 (picco saga).
(+) His wrestling credentials along with his experience and ring craft would nullify ALL of the above and lead him to an easy victory, IF his body would allow for it. We don't know.
Gane:
(+) Is really slick and cerebral on the feet and has shown he can turn it up for the TKO recently.
(+) A genetic freak with great attributes and very low mileage, surely a champ sometime down the line.
(-) Got taken (and held) down repeatedly by Ngannou, who learned offensive wrestling via youtube tutorials while he was getting his hands wrapped backstage.
I threw 5 bucks on Gane via stoppage, just because it offered great odds and I could multiply it with some "safe" soccer matches into a good parlay, but I don't have delusions of knowing how this will turn out.
I can see it happening though, if Jones gets overwhelmed standing up and becomes predictable in his wrestling attempts.
Really amped to watch.
Sounds familiarJones wins a close decision, fails his post-fight test for 16 banned substances, cries, USADA tells us all 16 substances are now allowed and 90% of fans feel bad for him and root for him to come back one more time.
That's the thing - do Gane and his team know (realize) that Jon will do anything to get a win; especially if he starts to lose (we'll get to see the old "accidental" foul that changes the course of the fight).Dwight Round 4, by a pico post eye poke.