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Ciryl Gane will get another shot at UFC heavyweight gold when he faces Britain's Tom Aspinall on 25 October 2025 at UFC 321. The five-round title bout will headline the event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and was officially confirmed by UFC president Dana White earlier this week. This will be Aspinall's first defence of the undisputed heavyweight championship, while Gane is aiming to win his first undisputed title after falling short in two previous attempts.

Ciryl Gane UFC 321 Comeback: His Road Back to the Heavyweight Title

The French heavyweight contender, widely regarded as the most technical striker in the division, enters UFC 321 with renewed momentum. Gane previously held the interim title but lost his chance to unify the belts when he was defeated by Francis Ngannou in January 2022. He later suffered a first-round submission loss to Jon Jones in March 2023 during another title bid.

Since then, Gane has worked to improve his ground game, a perceived weakness in past performances. His most recent win came via a narrow split decision over Alexander Volkov in December 2024, where his striking accuracy and movement were on full display. Now aged 35, Gane holds a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 2 losses and will look to make history by claiming the full title at his third attempt.

Tom Aspinall's UFC 321 Title Defence: Britain's Heavyweight Champion on the Rise

Tom Aspinall, 32, has been on a meteoric rise within the UFC heavyweight division. The Manchester-born fighter was promoted to undisputed champion following Jon Jones' retirement in June 2025, as reported by ESPN. Aspinall earned the interim title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023 and most recently knocked out Curtis Blaydes in the first round at UFC 304 in July 2024.

Aspinall's style is a blend of explosive power and submission skill. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has finished all but one of his UFC victories inside the first round. With a professional record of 15 wins and 3 losses, he has become one of the sport's most efficient finishers, holding the UFC record for shortest average fight time among current champions, and has expressed interest in facing Francis Ngannou in the future, according to MMA News.

Ciryl Gane vs Tom Aspinall: UFC 321's Power vs Precision Heavyweight Clash

UFC 321 features a clash of styles: Gane relies on footwork, range control and technical striking, while Aspinall brings early aggression, power and submission threats. Analysts say Gane must avoid early grappling and keep the fight standing, though Aspinall's relentless pace could test his improved defence, especially if the bout goes to the ground.

What Ciryl Gane vs Tom Aspinall Means for the UFC Heavyweight Division in 2025

UFC 321 is shaping up to be a defining moment for the heavyweight division. With Jon Jones no longer active, the Aspinall vs Gane showdown could mark the beginning of a new era. The event will also be closely watched by light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who has hinted at a move to the heavyweight ranks in the near future.

UK fans are expected to tune in heavily, with Aspinall defending his title on a global stage just months after his triumph in Manchester. Broadcast details for the UK have yet to be finalised but are expected to include coverage via TNT Sports and UFC Fight Pass.

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