Aspinall vs Gane: Heavyweight Titans Clash at UFC 321 in Historic Abu Dhabi Championship Bout

Championship Showdown Set for October

Tom Aspinall’s first defense of the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight championship will come against Ciryl Gane on October 25, headlining UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Path to the Title

Aspinall’s journey to becoming champion began when he won the interim title in September 2023 by defeating Sergei Pavlovich. While waiting for a potential showdown with then-champion Jon Jones, Aspinall defended his interim belt with an impressive 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes. Jones ultimately chose retirement over facing Aspinall, leading to the Brit’s promotion to undisputed champion.

Gane, a former interim champion himself after defeating Derrick Lewis in August 2021, has faced setbacks in previous title attempts against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. However, he has earned this opportunity through recent victories, including a TKO win over Serghei Spivac and a split decision victory over Alexander Volkov.

Heated Build-up

The tension between the two fighters was evident during their first face-off on September 5, 2025, at Accor Arena in Paris. Aspinall confronted Gane about avoiding him during his 2024 interim title run, to which Gane responded by questioning Aspinall’s drawing power at the time. The French crowd showed their allegiance by booing Aspinall while cheering for their hometown hero, Gane.

Championship Implications

Aspinall enters the bout as a well-rounded finisher with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boasting an impressive record that includes dominant wins over Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski. Gane, known for his elite footwork and striking finesse, brings his own impressive resume with victories over notable opponents like Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa. The French star views this as his opportunity to finally claim UFC gold.