UFC 321: Ciryl Gane Faces Definitive Test Against Champion Tom Aspinall in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI – The main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday will feature a highly anticipated heavyweight championship bout between current undisputed titleholder Tom Aspinall and former interim champion Ciryl Gane. As the fight approaches, much of the prefight discussion has centered on the immense pressure weighing on both athletes, each carrying distinct narratives into the Etihad Arena.

Tom Aspinall (15-3), who ascended to the undisputed heavyweight throne following Jon Jones’ decision to vacate the title and pursue other ventures, faces his first defense. Aspinall, often heralded as the division’s "next big thing," must now validate that label against a seasoned, if sometimes inconsistent, challenger. Despite his dominant performances, questions persist regarding Aspinall’s untested ground game and chin, largely due to his remarkable efficiency; none of his 18 professional fights have extended beyond the second round. This weekend’s five-round championship distance represents uncharted territory for the 32-year-old Briton from Salford, England, who enters the contest as a substantial 4-to-1 betting favorite.

However, the narrative of pressure is not exclusive to Aspinall. Ciryl Gane (13-2) articulated this perspective earlier in the week. "I don’t think it’s about who has more pressure on their head and shoulders because I have the pressure, also," Gane told CBS Sports on Monday. "Every fight you have the pressure but, for the belt, there is a lot of pressure from the media and everywhere."

The dynamics of the heavyweight division have contributed significantly to Gane’s current opportunity. Jon Jones’ brief retirement and subsequent vacating of the title in June 2024, albeit only for four days before speculation arose about a potential White House event in 2026, underscored a perceived lack of depth in the heavyweight roster. This scenario ultimately paved the way for Gane, the 35-year-old French native, to receive a third shot at the undisputed heavyweight championship. This opportunity, however, is met with considerable skepticism from many observers who question his deservingness given his recent record.

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Ciryl Gane’s journey in mixed martial arts has been both rapid and unconventional. A decorated Muay Thai practitioner, Gane transitioned to MMA only in 2018. His innate athleticism, combined with a 6-foot-5 frame and exceptional quickness for a heavyweight, allowed for an accelerated rise. After just three professional fights, he made his UFC debut in 2019, quickly amassing a six-fight winning streak within the promotion in less than two years. This impressive run culminated in a dominant performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in 2021, where he secured the interim heavyweight title with a third-round TKO. At that juncture, Gane appeared poised to dominate the division for years to come.

Yet, as Gane himself acknowledged, an unblemished record can mask underlying vulnerabilities. "I started [MMA] really late and everything looked like easy for me," Gane stated. "When you are winning, you don’t have any questions about yourself."

The subsequent period of Gane’s career, spanning five fights over four years, began to expose these "flaws in his game and lack of experience," generating questions about his true potential. His first attempt to unify the heavyweight titles came against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022. Despite Ngannou reportedly fighting with a severely injured knee sustained three weeks prior, Gane suffered his first professional loss via unanimous decision. The bout, which saw Ngannou pivot to a wrestling-heavy strategy, was contentious, with some analysts and fans believing Gane had done enough to win. However, it marked a critical moment where Gane’s defensive grappling was tested and found wanting.

Gane rebounded eight months later with a brutal third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night 209 in Paris, delighting his home crowd. While a highlight-reel finish, the fight also revealed a concerning tendency. Gane was visibly rocked during the contest and, at times, appeared to be drawn into an unnecessary brawl, raising concerns about his fight IQ and ability to maintain tactical discipline under duress.

The most significant setback in Gane’s career occurred in March 2023 at UFC 285, when he faced Jon Jones, who was making his long-awaited heavyweight debut after a three-year hiatus. The highly anticipated clash ended abruptly, with Jones securing a takedown and submitting Gane via guillotine choke in just over two minutes, without Gane offering substantial resistance. This decisive defeat was a "low moment," according to Gane. "My first loss against Ngannou, some people thought I won and it was very close, [so there was] not too much introspection," Gane reflected. "But then, when you lose to Jon Jones, you stop everything and you turn off your phone and you talk with your coach and your family because it’s really hard at first. I’m a competitor and it’s really hard to lose like that. And the social media [reaction] was really hard, also. You have to be more focused on yourself."

Following the Jones loss, Gane once again returned to the octagon in Paris, securing a second-round TKO victory over Serghei Spivac in September 2023, a performance that showcased his striking prowess and seemingly restored some confidence. However, his most recent outing, a split-decision win against Alexander Volkov in December 2023, reignited doubts. The decision was widely disputed by media and fans alike, including outspoken UFC CEO Dana White, with many believing Volkov had done enough to earn the victory. Gane attributed his performance in that fight to an injury. "I was really frustrated during this fight because I did a really good camp," Gane explained. "[But] unfortunately, I broke my foot in like the very first minute. I was very frustrated, even though I won. It was a bad sensation but I had to calm myself and enjoy it and not be too hard on myself."

Despite the mixed bag of recent results and the prevailing sentiment that this third title shot might be his last, Gane maintains a resolute focus. The constant criticism from media and observers regarding his perceived weaknesses, particularly his ground game, appears to have fueled his determination. Gane vehemently refutes the notion that his grappling is a fundamental flaw. "People like to say I am not good in my ground game but I lost just one time [because of it] and it was against Jon Jones," he asserted. "Trust me, I did this mistake [once] but I won’t do this mistake again. I have more wins [because of] my ground game than losses. People like to underestimate me on my ground game but I was never, never afraid to go to the ground." This statement reflects a fighter actively addressing past deficiencies and preparing for potential wrestling or grappling exchanges with Aspinall.

Conventional wisdom suggests Gane’s optimal strategy against Aspinall would be to prolong the fight, leveraging his superior cardio and technical striking to wear down the champion in the later rounds, given Aspinall’s lack of five-round experience. However, Gane dismisses such singular interpretations of his approach. "I can do both," Gane stated. "I can fight him like a dog in the very first round and I also can do [it] over five rounds. I’m not going to explain my tactic or gameplan but I can do both. Whatever is going to happen, I’m going to present and I’m ready for it. [Aspinall] is a very good fighter but me too, me too."

Gane’s background in team sports such as soccer and basketball has instilled in him exceptional athleticism and endurance, making him one of the most physically fit heavyweights on the UFC roster. Given that heavyweights often peak later in their careers compared to fighters in lighter divisions, and considering Gane has only dedicated seven years to formal MMA training, the possibility of significant, continued improvement behind the scenes remains plausible, even amidst his high-profile losses.

For Ciryl Gane, UFC 321 represents a pivotal moment – a "now or never" scenario for his aspirations of becoming an undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He appears prepared to silence his detractors and finally realize the potential that once saw him heralded as the future of the division. "For me, if I get this win, I’m going to be really grateful about my life and the experience," Gane concluded. "I think this is the way you have to do to be a real champion. I have a lot of experience and I learned a lot during my disappointment against Jon Jones and we have fixed it. We are really prepared for this fight in every department, mentally and physically. That’s why I am really happy for this fight." The fight against Tom Aspinall will serve as the ultimate litmus test for Gane’s evolution and his claim to elite status in the heavyweight landscape.