Tom Aspinall steps up as UFC heavyweight champion. He defends his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
The October 25 card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi marks Aspinall’s first defense since becoming undisputed champion. UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight on social media. The event is the UFC’s 22nd visit to Abu Dhabi.
Title Fight and Background
Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He defended it against Curtis Blaydes with a first-round knockout at UFC 304 in July 2024. Jon Jones retired on June 21, 2025, vacating the heavyweight title, and Aspinall was named undisputed champion.
Gane, the number one contender, seeks his first UFC title. He lost to Francis Ngannou in January 2022 and Jon Jones in March 2023. His recent wins include a TKO over Serghei Spivac in September 2023 and a split decision over Alexander Volkov in December 2024.
THE NEW ERA IS HERE 😮💨@AspinallMMA vs @Ciryl_Gane is the #UFC321 main event!
Tickets on sale Friday | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/yaD8IGP04U
— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2025
Aspinall’s power and grappling face Gane’s speed and striking. This main event could shape the future of the heavyweight division.
Tom Aspinall, 32, has a 15-3 MMA record. He joined the UFC in 2020, going 8-1 with seven first-round finishes. His only UFC loss was to Blaydes in July 2022 due to a knee injury 15 seconds into the fight. The British fighter is known for his quick knockouts and strong grappling.
His interim title win over Pavlovich took 69 seconds. He avenged his loss to Blaydes with a swift knockout. Aspinall became undisputed champion after Jones’ retirement, marking him as a top British fighter.
Ciryl Gane, 35, has a 13-2 MMA record. He debuted in the UFC in 2019, going 10-2. The French fighter won the interim heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis in August 2021 but lost title fights to Ngannou and Jones. His sharp striking and fast movement make him a tough opponent.
Gane’s split decision over Volkov stirred some debate, with some believing Volkov deserved the win. Still, three wins in his last four fights earned him this title shot.
UFC 321 is a huge moment for the heavyweight division. Aspinall aims to prove he’s the best, while Gane fights to claim the belt. The Abu Dhabi card sets up a big night.
