Latest news with #Gane
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dana White Reveals UFC 321 Heavyweight Main Event, Jon Jones Era Officially Over
Dana White Reveals UFC 321 Heavyweight Main Event, Jon Jones Era Officially Over originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When Dana White announced Jon Jones' retirement from the UFC, Tom Aspinall was immediately crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion. After going nearly a year without fighting, Aspinall revealed that he has lofty goals within the heavyweight division, and that includes defeating the entire top 10 roster. In an interview with UFC veteran Stefan Struve, Aspinall inched closer toward that goal, revealing that he had officially signed a contract. As to who his opponent would be, most MMA media believe it would be Ciryl Gane, who climbed back to title contention talks ever since his loss to Jones at UFC 285. Today, Dana White has announced a slew of title fights for the upcoming pay-per-view slate, including a heavyweight championship clash between Aspinall and Gane. He announced via Instagram Live, 'UFC 321, October 25th, Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Tom Aspinall will face Ciryl Gane. Aspinall has 15 wins, and all of them are by finish. Gane is the no. 1-ranked heavyweight.' Watch the full announcement here: Initially, Aspinall was expected to unify the titles against Jones, but the former champion's inactivity left the division in limbo. Although Jones has recently announced his intentions of returning to the UFC for the White House pay-per-view event, the heavyweight champion, Aspinall, has a new opponent to train for currently in Gane. Now, Aspinall aims to prove he's more than a placeholder champion, while Gane seeks redemption after his previous title losses. Gane will be given another attempt at touching undisputed championship status after losing his last two title fights to Francis Ngannou and Jones. The rest of the card is expected to feature other high-profile bouts, with other fights yet to be announced. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tom Aspinall aims to take fellow 'niche' heavyweight Ciryl Gane out of UFC title picture
If Tom Aspinall has his way, Cirl Gane won't be getting another crack at UFC gold. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) returns to action after more than a year on the sidelines to defend his now-undisputed heavyweight title for the first time against Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC 321. Somehow, the two have managed to miss each other on their ascents to the top of the division. Gane has lost two title opportunities, and Aspinall intends to give him strike three. "This is the fourth time that we've been matched up together," Aspinall said in a video on his YouTube channel. "Me and Ciryl got in the UFC around about the same time. I think he was there a little bit before me – he had a couple more fights than me. ... Now we are matched up, the 25th of October, Abu Dhabi. Me and Ciryl – the fourth attempt is here, and this is Ciryl's third title shot. So, we are going to try and get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good." For the past year, Aspinall has been waiting for Jon Jones to deliver on a title unification bout. Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title in November 2023 by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, and defended it against Curtis Blaydes last July. Jones decided to retire and relinquish the title instead of giving Aspinall the chance to become undisputed in the cage. Despite the time off, Aspinall believes he will display the best version of himself yet in Abu Dhabi. "I am the best heavyweight in the world, but I want to show everyone that I'm the best heavyweight in the world," Aspinall said. "(The time off) is no problem for me – ring rust is all mental, anyway. I'm happy to get back in there, get stuff moving, and get after it again." Aspinall acknowledges that Gane brings a unique look to the octagon as a heavyweight competitor. Gane's speed and elusiveness were a problem for each of his competitors, leading to him capturing the interim title by defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC 270 in 2021. Since Aspinall has similar traits, he expects the title fight to be one of the most exciting in the sport's history. "I think both me and Ciryl are very – we both have a niche style for heavyweights," Aspinall said. "We don't fight like heavyweights, both of us. So, this could be the fastest, the best-moving heavyweight fight that anybody's ever seen. We're both great movers, we're both light on our feet, we're both elusive – so, this is going to be great."
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Tom Aspinall's first title defense is a monster clash with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall face Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, confrimed by Dana Image via Getty Titanic fights have long characterized the UFC heavyweight division, and the main event of UFC 321 is expected to carry on that tradition. Former interim champion Ciryl Gane and recently crowned undisputed champion Tom Aspinall will square off in a high-stakes match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 25. This bout has the potential to change the heavyweight ranks' power dynamics in addition to being Aspinall's first title defense. On a surge of energy, Aspinall (15-3) makes his way into the Octagon. The British powerhouse has become one of the sport's most thrilling finishers thanks to his lightning-fast hands, precise boxing, and unexpected agility for a heavyweight. He has won 12 of his 15 fights via knockout, and he hasn't advanced past the first round since early 2021. He defeated Curtis Blaydes in the first round of his most recent fight at UFC 304, a decisive victory that solidified his place as a dominant force. When then-champion Jon Jones formally announced his retirement, Aspinall was promoted from interim to undisputed champion after months of waiting for a unification fight. Though many fans wanted to see the Brit clash with Jones, the bout never materialized, making Gane the most logical and deserving next Gane (13-2), meanwhile, is no stranger to high-level French striker, who was once an interim champion himself, has demonstrated some of the most technically sophisticated stand-up in heavyweight history. He has defeated fighters like Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Alexander Volkov thanks to his ability to outstrike opponents with precise striking and his middleweight-like footwork and distance management. However, there have been conflicting responses to Gane's recent performances, particularly his contentious decision win over Volkov at UFC 310. Gane's grappling shortcomings have frequently been criticized, especially following his defeat by Jon Jones, who submitted him in the opening round. Aspinall, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a well-rounded style that can reveal weaknesses in the ground, might use that weakness as a major their history of animosity—Aspinall had previously charged Gane with avoiding a fight earlier this year—the two are now headed for conflict. In addition to the clash of styles, the fight has sparked a lot of interest in the MMA community because it marks the beginning of a new era in the heavyweight division following make the title picture even more intriguing, the UFC 321 card will also include a heavyweight eliminator between Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov as the co-main event. The winner of Aspinall vs. Gane might find themselves at the epicenter of a golden age for the division, with contenders circling and a new generation of heavyweights emerging. Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane provides all the elements that fans desire in a sport that thrives on the unexpected: strength, skill, story, and repercussion. The main event of UFC 321 might be remembered as one of the pivotal bouts of 2025, regardless of whether it ends in a vicious finish or a five-round chess match.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tom Aspinall's first title defense is a monster clash with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321
Titanic fights have long characterized the UFC heavyweight division , and the main event of UFC 321 is expected to carry on that tradition. Former interim champion Ciryl Gane and recently crowned undisputed champion Tom Aspinall will square off in a high-stakes match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 25. This bout has the potential to change the heavyweight ranks' power dynamics in addition to being Aspinall's first title defense. On a surge of energy, Aspinall (15-3) makes his way into the Octagon. The British powerhouse has become one of the sport's most thrilling finishers thanks to his lightning-fast hands, precise boxing, and unexpected agility for a heavyweight. He has won 12 of his 15 fights via knockout, and he hasn't advanced past the first round since early 2021. He defeated Curtis Blaydes in the first round of his most recent fight at UFC 304, a decisive victory that solidified his place as a dominant force. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Data Science Others healthcare Public Policy Operations Management Design Thinking MCA Cybersecurity Product Management MBA PGDM others CXO Data Analytics Management Healthcare Leadership Project Management Finance Data Science Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details When then-champion Jon Jones formally announced his retirement, Aspinall was promoted from interim to undisputed champion after months of waiting for a unification fight. Though many fans wanted to see the Brit clash with Jones, the bout never materialized, making Gane the most logical and deserving next opponent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cargo Ship Meets Pirates - Watch What the Captain Does Next! Tips and Tricks Undo Ciryl Gane (13-2), meanwhile, is no stranger to high-level competition. The French striker, who was once an interim champion himself, has demonstrated some of the most technically sophisticated stand-up in heavyweight history. He has defeated fighters like Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Alexander Volkov thanks to his ability to outstrike opponents with precise striking and his middleweight-like footwork and distance management. However, there have been conflicting responses to Gane's recent performances, particularly his contentious decision win over Volkov at UFC 310. Live Events Gane's grappling shortcomings have frequently been criticized, especially following his defeat by Jon Jones, who submitted him in the opening round. Aspinall, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a well-rounded style that can reveal weaknesses in the ground, might use that weakness as a major weapon. Despite their history of animosity—Aspinall had previously charged Gane with avoiding a fight earlier this year—the two are now headed for conflict. In addition to the clash of styles, the fight has sparked a lot of interest in the MMA community because it marks the beginning of a new era in the heavyweight division following Jones. To make the title picture even more intriguing, the UFC 321 card will also include a heavyweight eliminator between Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov as the co-main event. The winner of Aspinall vs. Gane might find themselves at the epicenter of a golden age for the division, with contenders circling and a new generation of heavyweights emerging. Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane provides all the elements that fans desire in a sport that thrives on the unexpected: strength, skill, story, and repercussion. The main event of UFC 321 might be remembered as one of the pivotal bouts of 2025, regardless of whether it ends in a vicious finish or a five-round chess match.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
With Jon Jones retired, Ciryl Gane thankful for 'clarity' in UFC heayvweight division
Now that Jon Jones has decided to hang up the gloves, Ciryl Gane is eager to get a title shot against Tom Aspinall. Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has been wondering what's next since his last appearance at UFC 310, where he defeated Alexander Volkov by split decision. The former interim heavyweight champion has been in a holding pattern since, due to the career uncertainty of Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) and a potential title unification bout against Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC). With UFC CEO Dana White announcing Jones' retirement in Azerbaijan, the heavyweight division is ready to get rolling again, including Gane. "First, I'm going to say, big respect to Jon Jones and his career," Gane said on "UFC Unfiltered." "But definitely, we have some clarity. ... We're going to plan some things. Now, we can see forward and who you're going to choice for the belt against Tom Aspinall." Gane is currently on a two-fight winning streak and is the No. 1 contender in the UFC's official heavyweight rankings. Aspinall, who was promoted from interim to undisputed champion when Jones' retirement was announced, is expected to work out his plans during International Fight Week. Gane believes he should be in the next title fight. "I just know my manager Fernand Lopez talked to the matchmaking with Hunter (Campbell), and I know they work on it this week," Gane said. "We keep in touch. ... We're just waiting for more discussion and maybe the location and the date. We are really confident of this fight happening because we know I'm the No. 1 contender, so this makes sense. No. 2 is Volkov. He fought already against Tom Aspinall and he lost. I won against him twice. No. 3 is (Sergei) Pavlovich. He fought already against Tom Aspinall and he lost also." Gane's last defeat came in the first round at UFC 285 in a vacant title fight against Jones. It was an eye-opening moment that prompted him to reassess his career. Now that he has made peace with the loss and absorbed the lessons learned, Gane says he's ready to take on whatever lies ahead. "It was not easy after the loss to Jon Jones because I remember the bad buzz on the social media, the people were so hard with me because of the performance – and I can understand the people waiting for me to do something better than this," Gane said. "But yeah, I'm really confident of myself like every time. I know I'm a competitor and I think I really grew up after this loss, like really focused on my target, on my goal. Like, why I do this sport and why I go in the cage."
