Tom Aspinall Shifts Focus to Ciryl Gane, Eager to Define His Undisputed Reign Beyond Jon Jones Saga.

Manchester, UK – Unified UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has publicly stated his desire to move past the protracted drama surrounding Jon Jones, expressing a singular focus on his upcoming title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Aspinall, who was recently elevated to undisputed champion status following Jones’s retirement, emphasized his eagerness to return to active competition and establish his own legacy within the division.

"I’m over it," Aspinall told CBS Sports, reflecting on the nearly two-year period dominated by his pursuit of a fight with Jones. "I’m definitely over it." This sentiment marks a clear turning point for the British heavyweight, who now stands at the precipice of his first official defense of the undisputed title, a moment he has long sought. His immediate objective is to defend the championship against Ciryl Gane, a former interim champion himself, in what promises to be a pivotal clash for the heavyweight landscape.

Aspinall’s path to the undisputed title has been atypical, marked by a blend of dominant performances and the complexities of the UFC’s heavyweight hierarchy. His professional mixed martial arts record stands at 14 wins and 3 losses, with an impressive 11 knockouts and 3 submissions, showcasing a versatile and dangerous skill set. His UFC tenure began in 2020, where he quickly ascended the ranks with a series of first-round finishes over notable opponents such as Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, and Alexander Volkov. His only setback in the UFC came in July 2022 against Curtis Blaydes, a fight he lost via TKO just 15 seconds in due to a knee injury. However, Aspinall swiftly rebounded with a first-round knockout of Marcin Tybura in July 2023, reaffirming his elite status and readiness for title contention.

The catalyst for Aspinall’s interim title reign, and subsequent undisputed status, was the unforeseen injury to Jon Jones in November 2023. Jones, who had returned to the heavyweight division after a three-year hiatus and captured the undisputed title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, was scheduled to make his first defense against former two-time champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. However, a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones to withdraw from the event. In a critical moment for the UFC, Aspinall stepped in on short notice to face Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight championship. Pavlovich, riding a six-fight knockout streak, was considered a formidable opponent. Aspinall, however, dispatched him in a mere 69 seconds with a devastating knockout, claiming the interim belt and positioning himself as the rightful challenger for a unification bout.

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Following his interim title victory, the expectation was a unification bout between Aspinall and Jones. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn as the UFC opted to rebook Jones versus Miocic, a fight that had been brewing for years but faced increasing skepticism due to Miocic’s age (42 at the time) and a significant layoff of over four and a half years since his last fight in March 2021. This decision left Aspinall in a state of professional limbo, a situation he found frustrating given his clear objective. "I wasn’t really allowed to fight anybody," Aspinall recounted, encapsulating his desire for active competition. "I just wanted to fight."

Jones eventually faced Miocic at UFC 309, 370 days after their initial booking was canceled. Jones secured a dominant victory, stopping Miocic easily in a performance that, while impressive, did little to quell calls for a unification bout with Aspinall. Despite Aspinall’s clear claim as the interim champion, Jones publicly dismissed the prospect of fighting him, instead floating proposals for "super fights" against other contenders such as Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill. These suggestions were met with considerable derision from the MMA community, given Lewis’s standing in the division and Hill being a light heavyweight champion, further highlighting Jones’s apparent reluctance to face Aspinall.

The situation reached its climax in June, when Jones, without prior warning, announced his retirement from mixed martial arts and vacated the heavyweight title. This sudden move, consistent with a career often punctuated by unexpected turns, effectively cleared the path for Aspinall. Aspinall learned of Jones’s retirement concurrently with the public announcement, a development that, despite its abruptness, brought a sense of resolution. "I actually found out the same time you did, believe it or not," Aspinall stated, adding, "We finally get to fight then. Let’s move on." With Jones’s departure, Aspinall was officially recognized as the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion by default, marking an end to the prolonged and often contentious saga.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Aspinall maintained a remarkably composed and respectful demeanor, a stark contrast to the often-heated rhetoric common in the fight game. While he did engage in a subtle jab by displaying a rubber duck on a UFC broadcast, playfully referencing Jones "ducking" him, his approach was largely professional. Even in a face-to-face encounter with Jones, Aspinall’s interaction was characterized by a polite request for the opportunity he believed he had earned. "I didn’t actively have an idea of how I’d approach it. I approached it in my usual way," Aspinall explained, reflecting on his interactions with one of MMA’s most polarizing figures. "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 consistent display of professionalism resonated with many fans and observers, solidifying his image as a genuine competitor focused on the sport itself.

Aspinall’s journey through the interim title landscape further underscores the unique circumstances of his ascent. He is one of only four fighters in UFC history to successfully defend an interim title, and holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning interim heavyweight champion. While these are commendable achievements, they also serve as a reminder of the protracted period of uncertainty and waiting that defined his path to undisputed status.

Now, with the Jones chapter firmly closed, Aspinall can fully focus on the challenge presented by Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Gane (12-2, 8 KOs, 3 Submissions) is a formidable opponent known for his exceptional striking, movement, and technical prowess. The French fighter previously held the interim heavyweight title and challenged for the undisputed championship twice, first losing a close decision to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022, and then suffering a first-round submission loss to Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023. Gane has since rebounded with a dominant TKO victory over Serghei Spivac in September 2023, proving his continued relevance at the top of the division. For Gane, this bout represents a critical opportunity to overcome the narrative of being a perennial challenger and finally secure undisputed gold, a sentiment echoed by many who view this as a "now or never" moment for his championship aspirations.

The stylistic matchup between Aspinall and Gane promises a compelling contest. Aspinall’s blend of powerful striking, fast footwork for a heavyweight, and dangerous grappling presents a multifaceted threat. Gane, conversely, relies on his elite technical striking, evasive movement, and ability to control distance. The clash of Aspinall’s aggressive, well-rounded approach against Gane’s more patient, surgical style will be a key determinant in the outcome of UFC 321’s main event.

Looking ahead, Aspinall is resolute in his vision for his championship reign. His primary goal is activity, a stark contrast to the period of enforced inactivity he recently experienced. "I just want to fight. I want to be as active as possible. I’m going to fight as frequently as I can," Aspinall declared, outlining an ambitious target of three fights within the next 12 months. This commitment signals a desire to create a robust legacy, one defined by consistent challenges and definitive victories, rather than by external drama or the shadow of other fighters. His focus is on the core essence of his profession: "I want to get back to what I do, and what I do is fight people." With the Jon Jones saga behind him, Tom Aspinall is poised to embark on a new chapter, eager to solidify his position as the undisputed king of the UFC heavyweight division.