Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya offered his perspective on the UFC 321 heavyweight title fight, analyzing both Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ahead of the main event.
Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defends his belt for the first time since becoming the undisputed champion. His opponent, Ciryl Gane, returns to the Octagon after 15 months to challenge for the top spot.
Adesanya on the Fight
“I’ve been wanting to see this fight for a long time because they’re both like the new breed of heavyweights in the sense that they are athletic, fast. They’re strong, they’re massive,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
He weighed the strengths of each competitor:
“I think Aspinall will be faster. Aspinall, his hand speed is crazy. Not that Ciryl Gane is not fast. I just think Aspinall, when he gets the ball rolling, it’s really hard to stop that momentum. Gane, footwork. That’s one thing I think he’ll beat Aspinall at in this fight. Got a nice bounce, too. He can cover distance well, but he has to be careful of Aspinall’s counters.”
Adesanya also predicted a finish:
“I’m excited for this fight. This is not going to go the distance. I don’t think so. The thing is, the unknown is Aspinall in the later rounds. No one’s seen it. I haven’t seen it, so I want to know. … It’s where you showcase who you are, showcase your fighting spirit, showcase how clean you work even in the championship rounds.”
He suggested Aspinall could mix in grappling:
“He knows he’s a better grappler, I’m sure, or he feels I’m sure he’s a better grappler. So, why not mix it up early? I say not just test his grappling but mix it up early.”
READY TO DEFEND 💪
It’s 255lbs for the champ @AspinallMMA!
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Who Adesanya Favors
Adesanya shared his personal pick for the fight:
“I’m going Tom in this fight just because he’s just, the momentum is crazy, man. The way he’s been finishing guys. I’m not going to say it’s going to be an easy (fight) because styles make fights. Just because Jon Jones dispatched of Gane easily doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same with Tom. But, again, Tom can bridge that gap. And that speed with the f**king mass he has behind it is a dangerous weapon.
“I like Gane. I like his style. I just want to see a good fight. I think it’s going to be a f**king high level mixed martial arts heavyweight fight. It’s going to be the highest. This is the baddest man on the planet like title. Isn’t it? The heavyweight guy is always the baddest man on the planet, so this is for the belt.”
Fighter Styles and Strategy
Although Aspinall began in jiu-jitsu thanks to his father, the 32-year-old has adapted well to striking, training out of Team Kaobon. He fights primarily orthodox, occasionally showing a southpaw stance, with a fast right hand ready to exploit openings. His attacks include straight punches, low kicks, knees, and elbows, with sharp timing in counters.
Gane brings his muay Thai background, switching stances fluidly and controlling distance with footwork. He can frustrate opponents with tempo changes, strikes, and clinch work. While Gane is competent in grappling, Aspinall’s experience may give him the advantage if the fight goes to the mat.
