Dana’s big GOAT call as boos drown out ‘LeBron James’ at UFC 285 presser

Ciryl Gane, in this one, was booed every time he grabbed for that microphone.

Booed when he talked weight.

Booed when he talked right hands.

Booed even when suggesting he would get lit after winning.

Hell, at one point, Gane labelled rival Jon Jones the greatest fighter who ever lived only for that rowdy Las Vegas press conference crowd to keep its same united energy.

Boooooooooooooooo.

Which undeniably, is the story of UFC 285.

With Gane walking into T-Mobile Arena this Sunday as not simply a Frenchman on US soil, or a betting underdog in every sense, but that man in the way of what just may be the most significant UFC heavyweight title win ever.

For what else does this become if Jones triumphs?

When after disappearing for three years -- and through more than a couple of controversies and question marks -- this most enigmatic of athletes returns to not only win himself a second UFC gold, or Baddest Man on the Planet status, but cements himself as the greatest fighter who ever lived.

Certainly that’s how Dana White sees it.

With the UFC boss using this same press conference to proclaim that should Jones put a new belt alongside that light heavyweight strap he continually defended -- or won back after being stripped via calamity – then all GOAT debate ceases.

Not that anyway debates it much already anyway, White stressed.

“But if there is any debate out there, that would definitely be the end of it,” he said of a Jones win.

“Realistically when you look at Jon’s career, he’s undefeated. He should be 27-0 right now.

“That fight (against Matt Hamill in 2009) should’ve been a stoppage, not a DQ.

“That’s the one that drives me crazy.

“And it must definitely drive him crazy.

“He’s undefeated.

“And if you look at the people he went through to win the title, defend the title, it’s very impressive.

“And it’s undeniable that he’s the greatest of all time”.

Gane agreed.

“He is the GOAT. Everybody knows that,” said the man who, as recently as January last year, was still considered’s the division king.

“It’s not a question.

“But tomorrow it’s going to be two men, two fighters -- and I’m a good fighter. Everybody know that …”

In fact, with about 30 minutes gone in this presser, and when directing a question to Jones, one reporter even likened the American superstar to basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Fair enough.

But then, he asked about MJ taking on LeBron James.

“He’s Lebron?” Jones asked, looking across toward Gane. “Ciryl is Lebron James? Really?

“How did he get to Lebron James status?”

At which point the Frenchman interrupted, laughing, with: “I play well. Very well.

“I’m a good shot, good hands”.

But Jones wasn’t impressed.

“You hear Ciryl talking about wanting to win this fight and be considered a GOAT, it just doesn’t work that way,” he continued.

“Doesn’t work that way.

“I’m honoured that people consider me to be in that class of athlete.

“It means the world to me.

“And my job is to stay as humble as I can, continue to work hard and stay focused.

“Let the people decide who is Jordan, who’s Lebron and things like this.

“I’m just going to keep working hard and giving glory to God.”

Elsewhere, Gane denied suggestions he was carrying a hand injury, had no problems with playing underdog, and also stressed there had been plenty of work on his wrestling game since losing the title to Francis Ngannou, who has since vacated after quitting the UFC.

Oh, yeah, with a win, the Frenchman also said he would be ready to party.

But Jones?

“I’m not getting lit at all,” cackled a man whose various alcohol dramas are, you could argue, far from a laughing matter.

“You guys don’t want to see me lit, alright.

“I’ll just leave it at that.”

To which, White interrupted simply with: “Amen”.

But as for what Jones makes of fighting for legacy?

“What do you guys think?” he shouted to the crowd. “Do you think I’m the greatest of all time?”

At which point, those in attendance went nuts.