UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall plans to give a fatal blow to the undisputed title ambitions of Ciryl Gane.
A new era in the heavyweight division will start on October 25 at UFC 321, after Dana White Aspinall vs. Gane announced for the main event of the annual Abu Dhabi-Pay-per-View of the promotion.
The news arrives a few weeks after Jones retired and gave the title, so that Aspinall was elevated to undisputed status and ultimately the weight class can continue after a long period of uncertainty.
Gane eventually won the Aspinall Sweepstakes and beat Jilton Almeida and Alexander Volkov to secure the first shot to drop off the Englishman. It will mark the third shot of the Frenchman to become undisputed champions and, when it comes to the tough king, his last.
Tom Aspinall hopes to 'Liberate' the title photo of triple challenger Ciryl Gane on UFC 321
During a video on his Instagram stories and re -placed by the TNT Sports account, Aspinall issued his first explanation about confirming that his reign will start against a colleague -before interim title holder.
Aspinall has said that Gane was “due” a mistreatment after having previously rejected the call from the resident of Manchester prior to his climb to the throne. And by delivering that to Fight Night, the champion hopes to eliminate the French star from the heavyweight title photo.
“We are finally back after more than a year,” said Aspinall. “Me and Ciryl have finally signed on the dotted line. This is the fourth time we have been matched … Ciryl, unfortunately, rejected the fight (in the past).
“Now we are coordinated on October 25, Abu Dhabi, me and Ciryl. The fourth attempt is here.
“This is the third (undisputed) title shot of Ciryl,” Aspinall added. “We're going to try to get rid of Ciryl Gane forever from the title photo.”
After his interim title victory over Derrick Lewis, Gane lost to Francis Ngannou in his first undisputed shot in January 2022. 14 months later, the Frenchman was submitted in a fast time by Jon Jones to dent his title again.
“We're going to try to get rid of Ciryl Gane forever from the title photo!” ❌
Tom Aspinall responds to his title defense against Ciryl Gane in October 🏆
📹: @asspinallmma #ufc321 | October 25 | Live on TNT Sports and Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/e4fmubpxda
– UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 23, 2025
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The next title Challenger could be decided on the same night as Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
The person who comes to the fore from the main event of the UFC 321 will probably do this with the knowledge that their next opponent has been set.
The defense of Aspinall against Gane probably seemed prior to the official announcement after Almeida and Volkov were linked. The Brazilian and his Russian counterpart seemed to be the only other two options for the next fight of the champion.
Although he had hoped to nod, Almeida does not seem to be too much on its own. Given that he will fight in the same event as the next title fight of his division, 'Malhadinho' has sworn to secure its place opposite the champion before Aspinall and Gane even enter the cage in Etihad Arena.
“Everything moves perfectly! I'm going on the road, I will do my part and seal my title fight,” wrote Almeida on X. “I bring them to Brazil at home, mark my words!”