UFC champion Tom Aspinall is in a 'tough spot' vs. Ciryl Gane, says Din Thomas
Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) waited for over a year for his title-unification bout with Jon Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) to materialize, but Jones eventually retired and relinquished the championship. As a result, Aspinall was promoted as undisputed champion and will meet Ciryl Gane in the UFC 321 headliner Oct. 25 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Thomas says Aspinall has to top Jones' performance against Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), where he needed just over two minutes to submit him at UFC 285.
"I have to assume this is a nerve-racking spot for Tom Aspinall because he talked himself into a position, and we've all talked him into a position, where he's the best guy," Thomas told MMA Junkie. "Jon dismissed him and dismissed him and dismissed him. Then Jon dispatched of Ciryl Gane.
"So anything less than a first-round finish is going to be almost a disappointment for Tom Aspinall. Even a close win is going to be like, 'See, I told you, I beat that guy in seconds.' This is actually a pretty tough spot for Tom. If this fight had happened earlier it might be different, but this is a tough spot for Tom."
With Jones already claiming he's out of retirement and wants to compete on next year's White House event, Thomas urges Aspinall to capitalize if he can get past Gane.
"Fighters always think they're more important than they are," Thomas said. "We'll get to find out how important he really is. But a win here can really make him important. A big win against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi and he grabs that mic, that's going to be the most important minute of his entire life. To be like, 'Yo, I just beat the guy that you beat, I beat him in two minutes and two seconds, and now I want to fight Jon Jones at the White House.' It's written. ...It doesn't matter if it happens or not. It doesn't matter.
"But the idea of him saying that. Just attaching himself, further attaching himself, to the situation. Now there's no denying. Now what would Jon Jones' rebuttal be. Now he can't say anything. That's the biggest thing. Even if the fight doesn't happen and Tom Aspinall goes on his run. If I'm Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones dismisses me, I'm going on a run. I'm beating up Derrick Lewis. I'm going after Jailton Almeida. I'm going after all these guys and create my won lane. But to say that to Jon Jones would be the nail in the coffin to me to Jon Jones' rebuttals."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst says Tom Aspinall is in a 'tough spot' vs. Ciryl Gane
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knibbs move leaves Reading boss Hunt frustrated
Reading head coach Noel Hunt says he was frustrated by the nature of Harvey Knibbs' move to Charlton Athletic. The goalscoring midfielder moved to the Championship club on Friday - just a day before the start of their League One season. Knibbs had been linked with a move away from the Royals after an impressive 16-goal campaign in 2024-25, but Hunt says the timing was difficult for his side. Reading lost their opening league game 2-0 at Lincoln City on Saturday. "It was like Christmas tree lights, wasn't it? It was on, it was off, it was on, it was off," Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire. "We were just as frustrated because we were told it was off, he comes in and then 24 hours later they've managed to do something and it was on. "Harvey came and expressed his wishes, said his goodbyes and that was that. "He was a very good player for us. He came here on a free from Cambridge, he had two fantastic seasons and if we're being honest you can't begrudge him the move. "He deserves a shot at the next level so we wish him all the best."
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Here's why esports organizations are shifting to Abu Dhabi
The Middle East's gaming market is growing fast and in Abu Dhabi, new initiatives are incentivizing international esports organizations to shift to the United Arab Emirates' capital.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jovan Buha Lists 5 Reasons Why Lakers Should Be Considered A Major Threat
Jovan Buha Lists 5 Reasons Why Lakers Should Be Considered A Major Threat originally appeared on Fadeaway World. With the offseason heating up and contenders reshuffling for a championship push, NBA insider Jovan Buha believes the Los Angeles Lakers should be taken seriously as a legitimate title threat heading into the 2025–26 season. Buha outlined five key reasons behind his belief, and none of them require outlandish optimism. If anything, the stars in Lakerland are finally aligning. Here's why. 1. Luka's Revenge Season Is Coming Luka Doncic heard it all last year that he was traded from Dallas due to questions about his commitment, leadership, conditioning, and long-term potential. And the sting of that criticism only deepened during the Lakers' first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Luka was relentlessly targeted on defense and visibly worn down late in games. The noise got louder. Doncic's body language, effort, and defense were criticized by fans, media, and former players alike. But instead of sulking, Luka responded. Hard. This offseason, Doncic has undergone a complete physical and mental transformation. His recent feature in Men's Mental Health magazine revealed a redefined physique and strict regimen, 16-hour fasting, no gluten, no sugar, and an intense training program that has reshaped his frame. But it's not just about the weight loss. It's about mindset. Sources close to the team believe Luka is entering 'revenge season' with MVP-caliber urgency. His offseason recruitment of Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton further signals he's bought into the Lakers long term. All indications point to him signing a four-year, $220 million extension in the coming week. If that happens, expect monster numbers and a relentless drive to silence every critic. The kid is out for blood. 2. Deandre Ayton Addresses The Lakers' Biggest Weakness The Lakers' biggest flaw last season wasn't hard to spot. Once again, they lacked a reliable starting center. Jaxson Hayes showed flashes but simply wasn't consistent enough to anchor the paint. Enter Deandre Ayton. Bought out by Portland, Ayton joins the Lakers with a chip on his shoulder and a golden opportunity. A former No. 1 overall pick with career averages hovering over a double-double, Ayton has all the tools to thrive alongside Luka and LeBron. At just 27, he could become the Lakers' long-term answer at center, provided he brings consistent effort and improves defensively. Jaxson Hayes' re-signing adds bench depth, and sources say the Lakers are still exploring other big men such as Robert Williams III or Nikola Vucevic to fortify the rotation. For the first time in years, the Lakers have the flexibility and now the personnel to finally plug the center hole. 3. The Lakers Can Still Make A Trade As Buha recently noted on his podcast, the Lakers aren't done. Despite their limited draft capital, they still have several key assets that could be moved in-season: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Dalton Knecht, plus their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick and at least one second-rounder. While those assets alone may not net a star, packaging them with a first could land a meaningful upgrade at the trade deadline, especially if the Lakers are a piece away from contending. With over $110 million in expiring deals and LeBron James still on the roster, don't be surprised if the Lakers get aggressive midseason. They're also holding out cap space for 2026, but that won't stop them from pushing the chips in if the time is right. Luka and LeBron are too good to waste a year. 4. LeBron James Is Still the Best No. 2 Option In the League LeBron James will be 41 during the 2025–26 season. He's entering his 23rd NBA campaign. And he's still one of the 10 best players in the world. Even last season, James made an All-NBA team and regularly took over down the stretch. His explosiveness might have declined slightly, but his IQ, passing, shooting, and clutch shot-making remain elite. Most importantly, LeBron has seemingly embraced his role as the second option behind Luka, and that makes the Lakers dangerous. Despite offseason noise suggesting friction with the front office over the team's long-term Luka focus, LeBron never demanded a trade or buyout. In fact, his camp clarified that he's fully committed. As the best No. 2 option in basketball, LeBron elevates the Lakers into contender territory automatically. He's been here before. He knows how to win. 5. Roster And Coaching Continuity Will Pay Off The Lakers finished third in the West last year with 50 wins, and that was with Luka joining midseason and struggling with fitness. Even amid all that, the roster clicked. Now, they've added Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia, three pieces that address key needs. More importantly, they've retained the rest of the core. JJ Redick, entering his second year as head coach, showed promise as a tactician and communicator. Players trust him. He has the locker room. And with a full offseason to implement his schemes around Luka and LeBron, this team could take another leap. While other contenders undergo roster shakeups or navigate superstar drama, the Lakers are stable and motivated. Continuity matters in the NBA, especially when your stars are aligned and the locker room is united. The Lakers Are A Sneaky Contender The Lakers aren't just a legacy team relying on past glory. They're built to win now, and Jovan Buha's five reasons make a compelling case. Luka Doncic's transformation and leadership. Deandre Ayton's arrival at a position of need. Smart midseason trade flexibility. LeBron James is still a top-10 player. A cohesive roster with coaching stability. In short: don't sleep on the Lakers. They're not just a threat. They might be the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
