UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane takes place on October 25, 2025, in Manchester, England. The main event features current UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defending his title on home soil against France’s former interim champion Ciryl Gane. Both men represent the new generation of athletic, technically advanced heavyweights, promising a showcase of elite skill and speed.
Tom Aspinall (Champion)
Tom Aspinall (15–3) enters his first undisputed UFC title defense riding immense momentum as one of the fastest finishers in heavyweight history. The Manchester native owns a record-setting average fight time of just over two minutes, with most of his victories coming inside the first round. A dynamic striker and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Aspinall blends crisp boxing with underrated grappling and dangerous submissions.
His rise included a stunning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich to capture the interim title and a rapid revenge KO over Curtis Blaydes to cement his dominance. Following Jon Jones’ retirement, Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion and now defends the belt in front of a roaring home crowd. His composure, explosiveness, and ability to transition between striking and grappling make him a nightmare for any opponent.
Tom Aspinall – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Curtis Blaydes – KO (Punches) – UFC 304 – July 27, 2024
Win vs. Sergei Pavlovich – KO (Punches) – UFC 295 – November 11, 2023
Win vs. Marcin Tybura – TKO (Elbow and Punches) – UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura – July 22, 2023
Loss vs. Curtis Blaydes – TKO (Knee Injury) – UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall – July 23, 2022
Win vs. Alexander Volkov – Submission (Armbar) – UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall – March 19, 2022
Keys for Aspinall: leverage his blistering hand speed, use feints to close distance, mix takedowns into combinations, and maintain composure while hunting early finishes.
Ciryl Gane (Challenger)
Ciryl Gane (13–2) is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted heavyweights in UFC history. The Frenchman’s foundation in Muay Thai and kickboxing gives him exceptional movement, timing, and range control. Gane uses fluid footwork, sharp jabs, and precise kicks to dictate distance, frustrating opponents who struggle to corner him.
After suffering championship defeats to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, Gane rebounded impressively with a close split-decision win over Alexander Volkov and a dominant TKO victory over Serghei Spivac. At his best, he fights like a middleweight in a heavyweight’s body—measured, patient, and surgical with his striking. However, his biggest vulnerability remains his grappling defense, an area Aspinall is fully capable of exploiting.
Ciryl Gane – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Alexander Volkov – Decision (Split) – UFC 310 – December 7, 2024
Win vs. Serghei Spivac – TKO (Punches) – UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac – September 2, 2023
Loss vs. Jon Jones – Submission (Guillotine Choke) – UFC 285 – March 4, 2023
Win vs. Tai Tuivasa – KO (Punches) – UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa – September 3, 2022
Loss vs. Francis Ngannou – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 270 – January 22, 2022
Keys for Gane: maintain range and rhythm, utilize lateral movement to avoid pressure, counter Aspinall’s entries with clean kicks and jabs, and stay out of grappling exchanges.
Fight Breakdown
This main event features two of the fastest, most agile heavyweights ever seen in the Octagon. Aspinall thrives on early aggression, precise boxing, and seamless transitions into takedowns or submissions. Gane, meanwhile, excels at controlling tempo, using footwork and angles to neutralize pressure.
If the fight stays at kickboxing range, Gane’s rhythm and technical striking could trouble the champion. However, Aspinall’s explosiveness, combination speed, and wrestling threat give him multiple paths to victory. Gane must frustrate the Brit early, keep the fight clean, and avoid the fence—where Aspinall’s power and grappling can take over.
Both fighters are cerebral and disciplined, but Aspinall’s finishing instincts and ability to capitalize in scrambles tilt the edge his way.
Prediction
Expect an early chess match of range and timing before Aspinall begins closing distance with flurries and level changes. Once he finds his rhythm, a takedown or combination could swiftly end the night.
Prediction: Tom Aspinall def. Ciryl Gane via TKO (Round 2)
Aspinall’s victory would affirm his reign as the most dynamic heavyweight of his era, while a Gane upset would mark a triumphant return for one of Europe’s most technically gifted big men.