Coach Fernand Lopez has responded sharply to Tom Aspinall’s accusations that Ciryl Gane avoided fights, particularly dodging a direct confrontation. Lopez emphasized that these claims misrepresent Gane’s intentions, explaining that at the time, Gane was not interested in fighting opponents ranked below him. These comments come as tension builds ahead of their anticipated UFC 321 bout.
Aspinall has repeatedly alleged that Gane sidestepped several top contenders, prompting a rebuttal from Gane himself, who dismissed the accusations on social media. Last July, Aspinall detailed what he viewed as a pattern of avoidance by the French fighter during an interview with Ariel Helwani, to which Gane reacted on X (formerly Twitter), denying the claims.
In a recent interview with Helwani, Lopez defended Gane once again and criticized Aspinall’s assertions as bothersome. He stated:
“It’s kind of annoying, whining around saying that Ciryl ducked him and this and that. Everyone ducked him, he’s walking around like we’re a duck. It’s kind of annoying… Even in Paris [UFC Paris, September 2023], the guy decided to fly from London by himself… I’m there, and then no one at the UFC asked us if we want Tom to get in the cage. No one. Everything was smooth. Then you have someone cageside, who says to you, ‘Well, I want to fight you. Can you call me out?’ Why should [Gane] do that? So Ciryl didn’t call him out.
Lopez added further perspective on Gane’s career focus:
“Obviously, he’s looking forward and he started to think about how to make better on his career, so he was looking forward to trying to fight Jon Jones. Because at that time, I think that Tom was fifth in the rankings, or something like that… I can understand what Jon Jones is saying. That sounds annoying to come back and try to tease people.”
Lopez Highlights the Instense Pressure on Tom Aspinall for UFC 321
In the same discussion, Lopez pointed out the significant pressure resting on Tom Aspinall’s shoulders as he prepares for UFC 321. He predicted that the stakes for Aspinall could bring severe consequences, especially if the fight does not go in his favor.
Lopez explained the magnitude of expectations when speaking to Helwani:
“Tom Aspinall has more pressure on him than any other fighter has experienced in the last decade. Could you imagine what would happen if Aspinall does not deliver on October 25? That will be beyond an embarrassment. This is a lot of pressure that you don’t want to take on your shoulders.”
The Build-Up and What Lies Ahead for UFC 321
The ongoing dispute between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall has intensified the anticipation for their upcoming showdown. Lopez’s dismissals of the accusations claim Gane has been strategizing carefully to enhance his career prospects, rather than avoiding competition. Meanwhile, Aspinall faces immense scrutiny as many expect him to prove himself decisively in this matchup.
The narrative surrounding the fighters underscores the pressure fighters at the top of the heavyweight division endure, where every fight influences not only rankings but also legacies. As UFC 321 approaches, the outcome could significantly impact both men, determining their paths forward in this fiercely competitive division.