The heavyweight division could witness a thrilling title fight as Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane are poised for a potential matchup that has generated significant anticipation. Alexander Volkov, who has faced both fighters, recently assessed the upcoming bout, highlighting its evenly matched nature in an exclusive interview with MMA Junkie.
Volkov emphasized that although Aspinall appears to be the more well-rounded fighter, Gane’s agility and experience make predicting the outcome extremely difficult. He explained that the fight is essentially a toss-up because of their contrasting strengths:
“[The fight is] 50-50, I think. Both of them are good, and Ciryl Gane, he’s really good with his movement, with his legs and everything. He’s not so bad at grappling now. He started working a lot on his grappling and his ground skills, so I think it’s 50-50.”
—Alexander Volkov, UFC Heavyweight Contender
Volkov also noted that the fight’s result hinges on preparation and initial pace, pointing out Gane’s strong motivation to capture the belt. He remarked on the unpredictable nature of the contest despite what the records might suggest:
“It depends [on] how the fight starts, how both of them will be prepared for this fight. I saw that Gane will be motivated a lot for this fight to get the belt. It’s 50-50, but on paper, when I fought both of them, Tom Aspinall looks better. But in the fight, it could go any way.”
—Alexander Volkov, UFC Heavyweight Contender
Historically, Aspinall earned a submission victory over Volkov in the first round via armbar back in 2022, demonstrating his grappling prowess. Correspondingly, Gane holds a 2-0 record against the Russian, including a narrow split-decision win at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 310 last year, underscoring the close, strategic nature of their encounters.
Early Attempts at Booking a Fight Between Aspinall and Gane
Tom Aspinall revealed that he sought to face Ciryl Gane earlier in their UFC careers, during a period when both fighters were quickly climbing the heavyweight rankings. However, those proposed bouts never came to fruition because Gane reportedly declined the fights, preferring to maintain his progressive standing at the time.
In a candid discussion on the One On One | MMA podcast, Aspinall reflected on the missed opportunities and interpreted Gane’s decisions as an attempt to avoid risks against a challenging opponent:
“So me and Ciryl… We’re both European. We’ve been supposed to fight a couple of times before… When I was in, it was always like I was trying to fight him because he was just a little bit above me all the time. Fight never materialized. He turned me down a couple of times, to be honest. I don’t think he wanted to fight down the rankings. I get it. I’m a bad fight for everybody.”
—Tom Aspinall, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
This history adds an intriguing layer to the potential showdown, with both fighters now reaching championship contention and the stakes higher than ever.
The Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane preview highlights a matchup loaded with tactical skill, contrasting styles, and intense motivation. With Alexander Volkov’s balanced evaluation and the fighters’ previous encounters with him, fans can expect a battle that could redefine the heavyweight division’s landscape. The outcome will likely have major implications for the UFC heavyweight title scene, shaping contenders’ trajectories in this highly competitive weight class.