Tom Aspinall Outweighs Ciryl Gane Ahead of Heavyweight Showdown at UFC 321
The stage is set in Abu Dhabi for one of the most anticipated UFC heavyweight clashes in recent memory — Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane. The weigh-ins brought the first bit of drama before fists even fly, as Aspinall tipped the scales at 255 pounds, coming in 7.5 pounds heavier than Gane, who weighed 247.5. The British champion was met with loud cheers and chants of “Tommy Aspinall!” echoing through the Etihad Arena, while Gane was greeted with a few boos, though he remained his usual calm and composed self.
Despite the noise, both fighters displayed nothing but mutual respect. Their face-off lasted barely ten seconds, ending with smiles and a friendly handshake — a fitting sign of the professionalism that defines both men. Still, behind the sportsmanship lies a fierce competition waiting to unfold under the lights of UFC 321 on Saturday night.
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For Aspinall, this fight marks his first official defense of the undisputed heavyweight title, which he inherited after Jon Jones’ retirement earlier this year. The 32-year-old Mancunian spent 19 months holding the interim belt, waiting for the opportunity to face Jones — a matchup that never happened. Now, with Jones hinting at a 2026 comeback, this bout against Gane could shape the future of the division. Aspinall, confident as ever, promised fans a “very special performance,” urging everyone to tune in because, as he put it, “this is big.”
Ciryl Gane, at 35, knows this may be his last real chance at heavyweight gold. A former interim champion himself, Gane has twice fallen short in his bids for the undisputed crown — first to Francis Ngannou in 2022 and then to Jon Jones in 2023. Since then, he’s bounced back with two wins, including a razor-thin split decision against Alexander Volkov, proving he’s still among the elite. Calm and composed, he kept his message short at the weigh-in: “Very glad to be here, see you Saturday.”
Aspinall’s preparation has been as intense as it gets — reportedly consuming 6,000 calories a day, performing 300 sit-ups daily, and emphasizing cardio training to ensure he can keep pace with Gane’s movement and stamina. His strategy likely revolves around closing the distance early, as Gane’s elusive footwork can frustrate even the most powerful opponents.
There’s a growing feeling that this fight could define the next era of heavyweight dominance. If Aspinall can overcome Gane’s technical finesse and retain his title, many believe he could embark on a record-breaking run, rivaling legends like Stipe Miocic. But Gane, with everything to gain and nothing to lose, will be determined to flip the script.
So, when the Octagon doors close at UFC 321, respect will be left behind — and the heavyweight division may just crown its next defining chapter.
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