Tom Aspinall has declared his intention to eliminate Ciryl Gane’s chances at the UFC heavyweight title once and for all in their upcoming fight scheduled for October 25 at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Following Jon Jones’ retirement last month, Aspinall was promoted from interim to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion and now prepares to defend his belt against the French contender.
Ciryl Gane has previously competed for the undisputed heavyweight crown twice, first losing by unanimous decision to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022, and then suffering a first-round submission loss to Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023. Aspinall’s goal is to end Gane’s pursuit in their third title clash.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aspinall explained the rivalry and stakes involved:
“This is the fourth time that we’ve been matched up together. Me and Ciryl got into the UFC around about the same time… Now we are matched up, on the 25th of October, Abu Dhabi. Me and Ciryl, the fourth attempt is here, and this is Ciryl’s third title shot. So, we are going to try and get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good.”
He also highlighted the unique fighting styles that both bring to the heavyweight division:
“We both have a niche style for heavyweights. We don’t fight like heavyweights, both of us. So, this could be the fastest, the best-moving heavyweight fight that anybody’s ever seen. We’re both great movers, we’re both light on our feet, we’re both elusive, so, this is going to be great.”
Aspinall’s Rise to Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Amid Jon Jones’ Retirement
Tom Aspinall’s path to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion accelerated after Jon Jones announced his retirement last month. Initially, Aspinall secured the interim UFC heavyweight title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023 and had aimed to unify the belt against Jones, who repeatedly declined the fight. This led Aspinall to defend the interim title against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 while Jones remained inactive.
Jones’ sudden retirement meant Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion without defeating Jones in the cage. Despite some questioning whether Aspinall’s prime elapsed during this extended waiting period, the English fighter remains confident about his development and future potential in the division.
Refuting concerns about losing his peak years, Aspinall stated in an interview:
“It’s not all been bad, because to be honest, I don’t feel like I’m in my prime yet. I still feel like I’ve still got some work to do before I get there, and I’m getting older and developing more as a fighter and as a person. So, still feel like I will prime at mid-30s to be honest. I’m still just 32.”
What to Expect from UFC 321’s Heavyweight Title Clash
The upcoming bout between Aspinall and Gane is poised to offer fans an intriguing heavyweight matchup defined by speed, skill, and agility rather than sheer size and power. Both fighters diverge from traditional heavyweight styles, showcasing movement and footwork more commonly seen in lighter weight classes. This dynamic may result in one of the fastest and most technical heavyweight fights in recent UFC history.
With the stakes high, Aspinall is determined to solidify his reign while ending Gane’s pursuit of the title permanently. The fight also represents a key moment in both fighters’ careers—the winner will cement themselves as the division’s top contender and likely face new challengers in the heavyweight landscape shaped by Jones’ exit.