Tom Aspinall Speaks Out After UFC 321 Showdown Becomes Official

Jul 23, 2025 11:31 AM EDT

The heavyweight division is finally moving again with a major title fight set for Abu Dhabi

The UFC heavyweight division has been sitting idle for far too long, but Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane are about to change that. With Jon Jones officially out of the picture, the promotion has locked in its plans for the top spot. UFC 321 is set for October 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and the long-awaited matchup is finally official. The announcement sparked immediate reaction from Aspinall, who had plenty to say about the challenge ahead.

Appearing on UFC on TNT Sports, Tom Aspinall shared his excitement about getting back in the Octagon.

Tom Aspinall / Getty Images

‘Finally, after a year hiatus, Ciryl and I signed on the dotted line, and this is the fourth time we’ve been matched up together,’ Aspinall said. The previous attempts fell through for various reasons, but he believes this time it’s locked in. ‘The fourth attempt is here, and this is his third title shot. We are going to get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good,’ he added.

It’s been over 360 days since Aspinall last stepped inside the Octagon at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024. That win cemented his status at the top, but uncertainty clouded the division as Jon Jones took his time deciding whether to retire or defend his belt, leaving everything in limbo. Meanwhile, Gane stayed active, picking up back-to-back wins over two dangerous contenders in Serghei Spivac and Alexander Volkov. With both fighters locked in and the stage set for Abu Dhabi, the heavyweight division is finally back in motion—and fans are ready for a showdown that could reshape the title picture for years to come.