UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall plans on dealing a fatal blow to Ciryl Gane’s undisputed title ambitions.
A new era in the heavyweight division will get underway at UFC 321 on October 25, after Dana White announced Aspinall vs. Gane for the main event of the promotion’s annual Abu Dhabi pay-per-view.
The news comes a few weeks after Jon Jones retired and relinquished the title, elevating Aspinall to undisputed status and finally allowing the weight class to move on after a lengthy period of uncertainty.
Gane ultimately won the Aspinall sweepstakes, beating out Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov to secure the first shot at unseating the Englishman. It will mark the Frenchman’s third shot at becoming undisputed champ and, if things go to plan for the heavyweight king, his last.
Tom Aspinall hopes to ‘rid’ the title picture of three-time challenger Ciryl Gane at UFC 321
During a video posted to his Instagram Stories and reposted by the TNT Sports account, Aspinall issued his first statement on the confirmation that his reign will get underway against a fellow former interim titleholder.
Aspinall has said Gane is “due” a beating after previously dismissing the Manchester native’s callouts prior to his ascent to the throne. And by delivering that on fight night, the champ is hoping to eliminate the French star from the heavyweight title picture permanently.
“Finally we’re back after over a year hiatus,” Aspinall said. “Me and Ciryl finally signed on the dotted line. This is the fourth time we’ve been matched up together…Ciryl, unfortunately, turned down the fight (in the past).
“Now we are matched up for the 25th of October, Abu Dhabi, me and Ciryl. The fourth attempt is here.
“This is Ciryl’s third (undisputed) title shot,” Aspinall added. “We are going to try and get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good.”
After his interim title win over Derrick Lewis, Gane lost to Francis Ngannou in his first undisputed shot in January 2022. 14 months later, the Frenchman was submitted in quick time by Jon Jones to once again dent his title hopes.
The next title challenger could be decided on the same night as Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
Whoever emerges victorious from the UFC 321 main event will likely do so with the knowledge that their next opponent is set.
Aspinall’s defense against Gane looked likely prior to the official announcement after Almeida and Volkov were paired up. The Brazilian and his Russian counterpart appeared to be the only other two options for the champ’s next fight.
While he had hoped to get the nod, Almeida does not appear to be too down on himself. In fact, given that he will battle Volkov at the same event as his division’s next title fight, ‘Malhadinho’ has vowed to secure his spot opposite the champ before Aspinall and Gane even enter the cage at Etihad Arena.
“Everything is moving along perfectly! I’m heading out, I’ll do my part and seal my title fight,” Almeida wrote on X. “I’m bringing this one home to Brazil, mark my words!”