Tom Aspinall enters UFC 321 as the reigning and undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, widely regarded as one of the most complete heavyweights of his era. Known for his elite speed, precision striking, and world-class grappling, Aspinall is set to defend his title against Ciryl Gane. Here are his three defining performances leading into this high-stakes bout.
1. Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2 – UFC 304 (Manchester)
In a statement performance, Aspinall avenged his only UFC loss by knocking out Curtis Blaydes just one minute into the opening round. The emphatic finish marked a successful interim title defense and earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The win showcased Aspinall’s evolution in explosiveness, composure, and finishing ability, all in front of a supportive home crowd.
2. Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich – UFC 295 (New York City)
Taking a short-notice opportunity after Jon Jones’ injury, Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight championship with a devastating 69-second knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. Hailed as one of the greatest short-notice performances in UFC history, this victory cemented Aspinall’s position among the division’s elite and highlighted his finishing instincts under pressure.
3. Aspinall vs. Marcin Tybura – UFC Fight Night 224 (London)
After a yearlong layoff due to knee surgery, Aspinall returned to the Octagon with a first-round TKO over Marcin Tybura in just over a minute. The explosive finish earned another Performance of the Night bonus and signaled that the English powerhouse had fully reestablished himself as a title-caliber competitor, setting the stage for his eventual championship campaign.