After Jon Jones disappeared from the UFC map, the UK’s very own Tom Aspinall became the top dog in the heavyweight division. Getting elevated to the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion means that the target is now on his back. First to come after him is a former interim champ – Cyril Gane. This bout seemed inevitable and is now official for UFC 321 on October 25.
Fans can expect fireworks and a clash of styles. Gane will be ready to display his technical kickboxing prowess, while Aspinall is known to be able to finish his opponents in a variety of ways. It’s the Britons’ first defence of the undisputed belt, while Cyril Gane makes his 3rd bid for the gold after previous setbacks. Let’s look at Aspinall vs Gane odds for UFC 321 and see the tale of the tape!
Aspinall vs Gane: Fight Details
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: Main Card expected to start ~7:00 PM BST
Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
At stake: UFC’s Undisputed Heavyweight Championship
Betting available at 7bet UK
UFC returns to Abu Dhabi with one of the most anticipated heavyweight clashes of 2025. Will it be the start of a new legacy for Tom Aspinall, or can Cyril Gane return to glory in style?
Tom Aspinall – the New Champion
Record: 15-3 (12 KOs); 3 wins in a row
It seemed that Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall was written in the stars. However, Jon Jones decided to step away from the fighting game and vacated his title in a controversial fashion, allowing Tom Aspinall to move into the spotlight.
For what it’s worth, Tom Aspinall didn’t arrive at the UFC with hype. He did it with speed and composure. Born in 1993, son of a BJJ coach who left a well-paid IT job to help Tom train, Aspinall quickly became a household name in Great Britain. He won the British Open in BJJ at every belt (except black) and added boxing and wrestling to his game before stepping to MMA’s premier fighting competition – UFC.
His rise wasn’t much hyped, but he went on to become the #1 contender, regardless. Submission wins on Andre Arlovski and Alexander Volkov, as well as a 60-second KO of Curtis Blaydes in their 2024 rematch, solidified Aspinall’s status as the Next one in line.
With the division reset, Aspinall now sees many gunning for his scalp. Cyril Gane is the first in line.
As a fighter, Tom Aspinall has improved tremendously over the years. He trained with Tyson Fury, sharpening footwork and timing. The 2022 knee injury against Curtis Blaydes might’ve been a blessing in disguise, as the Salford-born fighter has looked even better after his return.
In bouts, Aspinall blends quick and straight punches with reactive takedowns (courtesy of his BJJ background). He excels at beating opponents to the first exchange. His big 6’5”, 250 lbs frame helps, too. One mustn’t forget just how decisive Aspinall is on the mat, and it’s rare to see a man of his size have heavy hands, quick feet and clean Jiu-Jitsu. That’s why he’s the new champ.
Tom Aspinall – Last 5 Fights
Opponent | Date | Result |
Curtis Blaydes | July 7 2024 | Win (KO) |
Sergei Pavlovich | November 11 2023 | Win (KO) |
Marcin Tybura | July 22 2023 | Win (TKO) |
Curtis Blaydes | July 23 2022 | Loss (TKO – injury) |
Alexander Volkov | March 19 2022 | Win (Submission) |
Ciryl Gane – ‘Bon Gamin’ (Good Kid)
Record: 13-2 (6 KOs); 2 wins in a row
Cyril Gane arrived at UFC through Muay Thai, collecting wins against seasoned vets before stepping into the most famous octagon in 2018. Coached by Fernand Lopez, Cyril Gane got into kickboxing thanks to his friend and quickly stood out thanks to his clinical approach, fitting his off-ring persona too.
An easygoing person in his life, Cyril Gane got off to a fast start and had plenty of hype as the next best thing in UFC’s heavyweight division. When UFC historically returned to France for UFC Paris, Gane outclassed Tai Tuivasa. A year later, he KO’d Serghei Spivac to become a household name in the fighting game.
However, his mythos is also shaped by 2 gut-wrenching defeats. The first defeat came at the hands of Francis Ngannou, to whom Gane lost by decision. The second one was dealt by Jon Jones, who delivered a devastating choke, forcing Gane to make improvements on his takedown awareness. Now, the Frenchman seems ready to return to the top.
In the octagon, Cyril Gane is an anomaly. It’s rare to see a footwork-first kickboxer of his size. Stats tell the story: he has ~61% significant strike accuracy and shows ~62% strike defence. These numbers make him an analyst darling while also allowing him to pass the eye test for regular fans. With that being said, there are some questions about Bon Gamin’s grappling prowess.
Now chasing the undisputed status – it seems that it’s now or never for Gane to start dominating. If he loses yet another title bout to a great opponent, he might not get another chance. Matching Aspinall in size, the older Gane has evasive kickboxing and range traps that Aspinall will have a tough time trying to counter.
Cyril Gane – Last 5 Fights
Opponent | Date | Result |
Alexander Volkov | December 7 2024 | Win (SD) |
Serghei Spivac | September 2, 2023 | Win (TKO) |
Jon Jones | March 4, 2023 | Loss (Submission) |
Tai Tuivasa | September 3, 2022 | Win (KO) |
Francis Ngannou | January 22, 2022 | Loss (UD) |
Tale of the Tape
Attribute | Tom Aspinall | Ciryl Gane |
---|---|---|
Age (fight week) | 32 (born April 11 1993) | 35 (born April 12 1990) |
Height | 6’5” (196 cm) | 6’5” (196 cm) |
Reach | 78” (198 cm) | 81” (206 cm) |
Stance | Switch | Southpaw/Orthodox |
Professional Record | 15–3–0 | 13–2–0 |
UFC Debut | July 26, 2020 – TKO win vs Jake Collier (UFC on ESPN 14) | August 10, 2019 – Sub win vs Raphael Pessoa (UFC FN: Shevchenko vs Carmouche 2) |
Titles/Status | Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion (elevated in 2025) | Former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion |
Key Factors to Watch
Since these two go head-to-head for the first time, fans can only anticipate but can’t know what to expect. Here are the key factors to watch for the Aspinall vs Gane UFC 321 bout.
Opening Pace & Initiative
Both fighters are equally as deadly when they control the pace. Aspinall, however, is the deadlier of the two, having the shortest-average-bout-finish time at 2:02. We know the Briton starts fast but Gane has plenty of power to turn things around quickly. Early clinches could blunt that initial rush, but Gane isn’t well known for them, so Aspinall could control the early rounds.
Accuracy & Range Control
If Aspinall can dominate early, Gane can land strikes with immense accuracy. The Frenchman absorbs only 2.23 strikes per minute. If he uses great footwork and low kicks, the bout could go into a territory that Aspinall doesn’t favour. It’s up to the undisputed champ to cut angles and keep Gane in range.
Action on the Ground
Entering a clinch with Aspinall could be game over for his opponent. However, his elite striking masks this Achilles heel quite well. If he can delay the first mat exchange, Gane could stand a chance, but if he doesn’t, most experts see this as a decisive victory for Tom Aspinall.
Aspinall vs Gane: Betting Odds
You can find UFC 321 Aspinall vs Gane odds on 7bet UK. Below is a table with the main odds. Keep in mind that you should bet responsibly and that the odds are accurate as of writing this preview and could move before the fight.
Winner
Tom Aspinall | Cyril Gane |
1/4 | 14/5 |
Tom Aspinall is considered a heavy favourite in the books. However, Cyril Gane is no slouch, so it might be an interesting bout.
Round Total
Over 1.5 | Under 1.5 |
19/25 | 19/20 |
Chances for this are considered pretty equal, with a slight edge on the Over 1.5. This means that the implied probability shows it is more likely to last 2 or more rounds.
Will the Fight go the Distance?
Yes | No |
15/4 | 2/13 |
Despite the reputation of both fighters, 7bet UK books think that ‘No’ is the more likely outcome. This means that books expect the fight not to go the distance.
Winning Method
Tom Aspinall by KO | 24/25 |
Tom Aspinall by decision | 8/1 |
Tom Aspinall by submission | 12/5 |
Draw | 19/1 |
Cyril Gane by KO | 19/4 |
Cyril Gane by decision | 12/1 |
Cyril Gane by submission | 18/1 |
These odds imply that Tom Aspinall by KO is the most likely outcome, followed by Tom Aspinall by Submission.
How to Watch UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane in the UK?
If you‘re in the UK, you can catch the action from Abu Dhabi via TNT Sports Box Office, Sky/Virgin/EE or Prime Video PPV. Coverage starts mid-afternoon with the main card Aspinall vs Gane bout expected around 7 PM BST.
FAQ
How Much Will the Fighters Earn From This Fight?
The UFC does not publicly disclose these figures beforehand, and only rumour-based reports are available. As former or present champions, both fighters can expect six or seven-figure purses with additional PPV incentives.
Will Tom Aspinall Ever Fight Jon Jones?
Although the fight seemed to have been in the making, Jon Jones decided to retire and vacate his belt. Aspinall has expressed his desire to fight the American, but the latter declined to even speak about it multiple times.
Who is the Favourite for Aspinall vs Gane on UFC 321?
As of now, books indicate that Tom Aspinall is considered an early favourite, carrying over 75% implied probability of victory, according to 7bet UK odds on October 22.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org