Tom Aspinall Shifts Focus from Jon Jones Saga to First Undisputed Heavyweight Title Defense Against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

Manchester, England – British heavyweight Tom Aspinall has signaled a definitive end to the protracted saga surrounding Jon Jones, expressing a clear desire to move forward as he prepares for his inaugural undisputed UFC heavyweight title defense against France’s Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. The 31-year-old champion articulated a sentiment of closure, emphasizing his eagerness to leave the shadow of the former two-division king behind and concentrate solely on his competitive future.

"I’m over it," Aspinall stated in an interview with CBS Sports, reflecting on the period dominated by his pursuit of a unification bout with Jones. "I’m definitely over it." This declaration marks a pivotal moment for Aspinall, who ascended to the undisputed throne not through a direct contest with Jones, but by default following Jones’s unexpected retirement and subsequent vacating of the title in June.

The path to Aspinall’s current status has been anything but conventional, characterized by nearly two years of strategic maneuvering, public call-outs, and a persistent effort to secure a fight with Jones. Despite Aspinall’s consistent lobbying and impressive performances, Jones consistently dismissed him as a legitimate threat, often floating alternative, less challenging matchups before ultimately stepping away from the sport. This period of uncertainty and unfulfilled ambition left Aspinall in a frustrating holding pattern within the division.

"I actually really love fighting," Aspinall explained, underscoring his core motivation. "Doing that is what I like. Having nothing holding me back and doing what I enjoy doing, what I got into this sport to do, is what I’m looking forward to more than anything else." This statement highlights a champion whose primary drive is the act of competition itself, rather than the intricate political landscape of fight promotion.

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Aspinall’s journey took a significant turn at UFC 295 in November 2023. He stepped into a high-stakes interim title fight on short notice, replacing an originally scheduled undisputed heavyweight title clash between Jones and Stipe Miocic. Jones had withdrawn from that bout due to a torn pectoral muscle. Aspinall seized the opportunity with a dominant performance, securing the interim heavyweight title with a brutal 69-second TKO victory over Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich. Pavlovich, known for his devastating knockout power and a six-fight first-round knockout streak prior to facing Aspinall, presented a formidable challenge, making Aspinall’s quick victory all the more impressive. This win, achieved under immense pressure and with minimal preparation, solidified Aspinall’s standing as a top contender and positioned him for a unification bout.

The logical progression following Aspinall’s interim title win should have been a unification bout against Jones. However, the UFC opted to re-book the highly anticipated Jones vs. Miocic matchup, a contest that had seemingly diminished in desirability with each passing month. Miocic, a two-time former UFC Heavyweight Champion and widely considered one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history, entered the re-booked fight at 42 years old and after a four-and-a-half-year layoff from competition. His last fight was a second-round TKO loss to Francis Ngannou in March 2021, where he surrendered the undisputed title. When Jones and Miocic finally met, the fight unfolded as many critics had anticipated, with Jones securing a relatively easy victory via body shot knockout, 370 days after their initial booking had collapsed. Miocic’s extended inactivity and advanced age appeared to significantly impact his performance against the formidable Jones, who boasts a professional record of 27 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest, with a legacy spanning multiple light heavyweight title defenses and a prior undisputed heavyweight title capture.

Despite the outcome, the expected path for a unification fight between Jones and Aspinall remained obstructed. "I wasn’t really allowed to fight anybody…" Aspinall lamented, reflecting on the period following his interim title win. "I just wanted to fight." Jones continued to dismiss Aspinall’s claims to a unification bout, instead publicly contemplating what he termed "super fights" against fighters like Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill – matchups largely perceived as less stylistically challenging or less deserving of a title shot than a unification bout with the interim champion. Jones also reportedly expressed interest in a fight against then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, further indicating his reluctance to face Aspinall.

Then, without significant prior warning, Jones briefly announced his retirement from active competition and vacated the heavyweight title in June. This unexpected turn of events led to Aspinall’s immediate promotion to undisputed champion by default, a resolution that arrived in an anticlimactic manner for a fighter who had earned his shot through consistent performance.

"I actually found out the same time you did, believe it or not," Aspinall recalled, recounting his reaction to the news of Jones’s retirement. His immediate response, devoid of animosity, was one of pragmatic relief: "We finally get to fight then. Let’s move on." This quote encapsulates Aspinall’s desire for competitive activity over promotional theatrics.

Throughout his often-frustrating pursuit of a fight with Jones, Aspinall maintained a respectful demeanor, a characteristic that set him apart from the more aggressive promotional tactics often seen in mixed martial arts. His most pointed public gesture was the subtle display of a rubber duck on a UFC broadcast, a nuanced jab at Jones for "ducking" him. This subtle critique contrasted sharply with the often-belligerent trash talk common in the sport. When the two heavyweights did encounter each other in person, the interaction was not a heated confrontation but rather a polite, professional exchange where Aspinall merely requested the opportunity he believed he had earned. Standing opposite one of MMA’s most polarizing figures, a fighter whose career has been marked by unparalleled dominance inside the cage and numerous controversies outside of it, Aspinall consistently upheld a standard of decorum.

"I didn’t actively have an idea of how I’d approach it. I approached it in my usual way," Aspinall explained of his interactions with Jones. "I guess that’s just the way I am. I don’t know. I didn’t try to do anything. I was doing things the only way I know how, which is by being myself." This statement underscores Aspinall’s authentic approach, prioritizing genuine conduct over manufactured drama.

Aspinall’s interim title reign was notable. He is one of only four fighters in UFC history to successfully defend an interim title. Other notable interim title defenders include Renan Barão (bantamweight), Tony Ferguson (lightweight), and Robert Whittaker (middleweight). Aspinall also holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC heavyweight history, a commendable achievement but also a constant reminder of the "limbo" he was forced into while awaiting a resolution to the heavyweight title picture. His professional record stands at 14 wins and 3 losses, with a fighting style characterized by exceptional speed for a heavyweight, powerful striking, and a high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under his father, Andy Aspinall. His rapid ascent and well-rounded skill set have established him as a significant figure in the division.

As Aspinall shifts his focus entirely to his upcoming undisputed title defense against Ciryl Gane, he can finally move past the two-year period of uncertainty and concentrate on forging his own legacy as the division’s champion. Gane, with a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, presents a formidable challenge. The French fighter, known as "Bon Gamin" (The Good Kid), possesses an unorthodox and highly technical striking style, characterized by agility, footwork, and a diverse arsenal of kicks and punches, rare for a heavyweight. He has previously held the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship, winning it against Derrick Lewis in August 2021, and has challenged for the undisputed title twice, losing to Francis Ngannou by unanimous decision in a closely contested bout at UFC 270 in January 2022, and subsequently to Jon Jones via first-round submission at UFC 285 in March 2023. This upcoming bout against Aspinall represents Gane’s third opportunity to capture the undisputed heavyweight crown, making the stakes exceptionally high for the Frenchman to finally shake off the "nearly man" perception and prove his championship credentials. The fight is crucial for Gane to demonstrate his evolution and ability to perform under the highest pressure.

For Aspinall, the upcoming bout against Gane at UFC 321 represents not just a title defense, but an opportunity to cement his position as the legitimate heavyweight king and initiate a new era for the division. "I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m going to fight as frequently as I can," Aspinall affirmed, outlining an ambitious goal of competing three times within the next 12 months. "I don’t know how that’ll look because you never know what life will throw your way. But I want to get back to what I do, and what I do is fight people." This clear focus on activity and competition signals Aspinall’s intent to be a fighting champion, eager to establish his dominance and carve out a distinguished reign in the UFC’s premier weight class.