Tom Aspinall may make his first official UFC heavyweight title defense soon, following his rise as the undisputed champion. The heavyweight division experienced a turning point last Saturday when UFC President Dana White confirmed Jon Jones’ retirement, ending speculation about a potential Aspinall-Jones matchup.
After the announcement, Aspinall expressed his commitment on social media to energize the heavyweight division, which had been in a state of uncertainty for several months. Meanwhile, Aspinall’s father voiced criticism of the UFC’s decision to share the news late at night from Baku, highlighting concerns about the timing.
Potential Opponents Narrow as Talks Focus on Ciryl Gane
With Jon Jones out of the picture, the UFC heavyweight title scene moves forward without one of its biggest stars, shifting attention to possible challengers for Aspinall. Fans had hoped for a showdown between Aspinall and Jones, but those hopes have faded, while other contenders have emerged.
Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira recently confirmed he will prioritize a rematch with Magomed Ankalaev rather than moving up to heavyweight to face Aspinall. This leaves two primary contenders in the mix: Alexander Volkov and Ciryl Gane.
Volkov and Gane fought last year in a controversial bout that ended with Gane winning by decision, a result that UFC President Dana White later apologized for, suggesting the decision may have been unfair. Aspinall holds a previous dominant victory over Volkov from 2022, which leans the favor toward Gane as Aspinall’s likely next opponent.
The announcement of the UFC Paris main event, headlined by Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, omitted Gane, fueling speculation that he may instead prepare for a title fight with Aspinall.
My manager talked to the matchmaking, with Hunter (Campbell). I know they’re working on it this week, and we can keep in touch. Nothing is fixed yet, we’re just waiting for more discussions and maybe a location and date. We are really confident of this fight happening,
Gane told UFC Unfiltered.
Gane’s Previous Hesitation to Fight Aspinall Reflects Shifting Dynamics
While the final decision rests with Aspinall, who has indicated a desire to return around October, it appears likely that he will accept a fight against Ciryl Gane. The two athletes have been linked to a matchup before, back when Aspinall was ranked outside the top three in the division.
After recovering from injury, Aspinall sought an opponent and was offered a fight against Gane; however, Gane declined at that time, expressing a preference not to face lower-ranked fighters and instead challenge opponents ranked higher.
Implications for the Heavyweight Division and Future Events
This emerging contest between Aspinall and Gane could significantly shape the future of the UFC heavyweight landscape, bringing clarity after months of waiting. Should negotiations conclude successfully, a match later this year would provide a fresh headline for the division and fans alike. Aspinall’s first title defense will signal a new era in heavyweight competition, particularly as the UFC moves forward without Jon Jones. Observers will watch closely how this fight unfolds and what it means for rankings and the division’s momentum.