Tom Aspinall is set to challenge Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, aiming to remove Gane from the heavyweight title contention. This bout, announced by Dana White and the UFC on Tuesday, marks a critical moment in the division following Jon Jones‘ retirement in June.
Aspinall Targets Gane’s Third Consecutive Title Shot Defeat at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall recently addressed his preparations on his YouTube channel, expressing a clear goal to end Ciryl Gane’s run as a top contender. Gane is attempting his third opportunity at the undisputed heavyweight championship after previous losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.
This is Ciryl’s third title shot, so we are gonna try and get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good,
Aspinall said.
. . . I wanna give him his third title shot loss and get him out of there.
Though Aspinall does not appear likely to compete again before year’s end, a victory over Gane could lead to two fights in 2026. This schedule would break the recent pattern, making it the first year since 2018 to feature multiple heavyweight title defenses.
The path to victory will be challenging, as Gane is known for his elusive striking style. For the British fighter, a defeat would carry significant consequences, especially after his long pursuit of a championship bout originally intended for Jon Jones since 2023. Jones’ presence looms as a reminder of past opportunities lost.
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The UFC 321 main event centers on Tom Aspinall defending the heavyweight championship, promising a thrilling contest. Meanwhile, the UFC Rio event features a notable heavyweight matchup with an undefeated striker, adding excitement to the lineup. Also, the UFC has revealed initial fight cards for its upcoming return to Australia, signaling expanded international activity. Further tensions in the MMA world surfaced when Khabib Nurmagomedov made a subtle comment distancing Ilia Topuria from Conor McGregor.
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This fight holds considerable importance in the heavyweight division, as Aspinall seeks to halt Gane’s attempts to secure the belt and restore clarity to the title scene. UFC 321 could prove a pivotal moment in deciding the division’s future landscape.