{"id":757649,"date":"2026-06-24T18:12:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/757649\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T18:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:12:16","slug":"ufc-champion-tom-aspinall-roasts-ciryl-gane-with-teaser-for-ufc-return-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/757649\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Champion Tom Aspinall Roasts Ciryl Gane With Teaser for UFC Return Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is preparing for absolutely everything in his anticipated rematch with Ciryl Gane. <\/p>\n

Following Jon Jones\u2019 decision to retire and vacate the UFC heavyweight belt last summer, Aspinall was promoted from interim to undisputed champion and booked to meet Gane for his first title defense in the main event of UFC 321. <\/p>\n

That championship bout famously ended late in the first round when Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in the eyes<\/a> and left the Englishman unable to continue. Since then, the UFC\u2019s heavyweight champion underwent surgery<\/a> to address the damage he sustained. <\/p>\n

Tom Aspinall Roasts Ciryl Gane While Teasing UFC Return<\/p>\n

With Aspinall sidelined, Gane was booked to meet Alex Pereira in an interim heavyweight title bout at \u201cUFC Freedom 250\u201d and spoiled Pereira\u2019s bid to become a three-division champion<\/a> when he stopped him with strikes in the second round. <\/p>\n

\"Ciryl<\/p>\n

Ciryl Gane (blue gloves) fights Alex Pereira (red gloves) during UFC Freedom 250 at White House South Lawn. | Amber Searls-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The ending to the co-main event of the UFC White House card was not without some controversy, as Gane appeared to land several shots to the back of Pereira\u2019s head <\/a>before ultimately finishing him via standing TKO. Taking to Instagram, Aspinall poked fun at Gane for both their first fight and the Pereira matchup while also teasing that he\u2019s finally gearing up for a return to the Octagon.<\/p>\n

When Will the Aspinall vs. Gane Rematch Take Place?<\/p>\n

Aspinall previously let fans know that he\u2019d returned to training following his eye surgeries but was unsure about when exactly he\u2019d be able to fight again, and since then UFC CEO Dana White and Aspinall\u2019s newly-appointed manager Eddie Hearn have publically disagreed<\/a> on plans for the UFC\u2019s heavyweight king. <\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane face off at UFC 321. | (Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n

After joining the UFC in 2020, Aspinall won his first four fights with the promotion before a knee injury ended his first meeting with Curtis Blaydes in just 15 seconds. The 33-year-old returned the following year to knock out Marcin Tybura before he defeated Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim heavyweight strap, which he successfully defended in his rematch with Blaydes at UFC 304. <\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Given the controversial ending to their first fight and Gane\u2019s performance against Pereira, a rematch with Aspinall is arguably the biggest fight that the UFC could put together at the moment. Aspinall\u2019s Instagram update doesn\u2019t provide any indication of when he plans to return, and it remains to be seen how negotiations between White and Hearn proceed regarding the UFC star\u2019s next fight. <\/p>\n

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