(Reuters) -Britain’s Tom Aspinall will defend his UFC undisputed heavyweight title for the first time against Frenchman Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi on October 25. The 32-year-old won the interim championship in 2023, and was promoted to undisputed status last month after the reigning champion Jon Jones retired and vacated his belt. Aspinall, who last […]
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Mixed Martial Arts-Aspinall to defend UFC heavyweight title against Gane
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(Reuters) -Britain’s Tom Aspinall will defend his UFC undisputed heavyweight title for the first time against Frenchman Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi on October 25.
The 32-year-old won the interim championship in 2023, and was promoted to undisputed status last month after the reigning champion Jon Jones retired and vacated his belt.
Aspinall, who last fought in July 2024 when he knocked out Curtis Blaydes to defend his interim belt, said it was the fourth time he had been matched up with Gane, although they have never faced off in the Octagon before.
“Me and Ciryl Gane finally signed on the dotted line,” Aspinall said in an Instagram video on Wednesday. “The fourth attempt is here, and this is Ciryl’s third title shot.”
Former interim champion Gane lost a decision to Francis Ngannou in his first shot at the undisputed heavyweight belt in 2022, before being submitted by Jones in his second attempt to capture the title the next year.
“We’re going to try and get rid of Ciryl Gane from the title picture for good.” Aspinall added.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru)