You know what I find funny? people are saying that Stipe is a legend but he's Old and washed, but now after Jon won, ppl are giving Stipe so much now after thinking that it's all about experience, motivation and wrestling, eh? But b4 that, a lot of people were saying if Gane, Tuivasa, Pavlovich or Blaydes fought Stipe, Stipe losses cause he's washed and he's old generation (back when it was rumored that Tai would fight Stipe back in July 2022), and this is the new generation and this is the apex of HWs like all divisions as the sports continues to grow, huh? But now after Jon won, a lot of people now think Stipe beats Pavlovich, Gane, Tuivasa or Blaydes right now cause Stipe would be Jon's toughest fight according to the people while the others losses easily to Jon, cause Stipe is old generation while the new guys would lose easily Lol, Also well due to how things played out, it's ridiculous how people give Gane a lot of crap (and ofc after losing to 1 legged FN but keep in mind he went 5 rounds with him, and also that Jon almost lost to 1 legged Santos too), as if Jon wouldn't have done that to any HW had he fought any of them, right? The only reason why Gane lost like that is because he didn't know what type of fighter Jon would be at HW, Like most of us or probably all of us, cause he never fought at HW and that was his HW Debut, and I think any HW that would welcome Jon at HW would've lost in a similar fashion like that too, not necessarily Gane tbh, so people giving Gane crap like that is ridiculous, there was a reason why Gane was interim champ, he had 3 years career and reached championship level and won interim title and fought for undisputed title twice after beating as many ranked opponents as possible, always active, never declined anyone, Gane is and was always the real deal.
Edit: but ofc, Gane would've had a better career as a Kickboxer, he has a win in Muay Thai over a guy that has a win over Rico Verhoeven, I don't believe Jon is a better fighter than Gane tbh, he was better than him the night they fought but I don't believe he's not better than him as a fighter, had he beaten Gane for at the very least for 2-3 rounds but I'd believe it if it was for 4 or 5 rounds, then I'd be okay with it but it ended so fast, man, like, dude, I mean, when Serra or Hughes beat GSP, did it mean they are better than him as a fighter? well if so, then why GSP smashed both So hard in rematches and trilogies??!! also dude, Jon fighting Gane in that stage of his career is like Fedor if he fought Jon in 2010 for an example.
