Evidently two of the three options for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s next fight know something the fans don’t yet.
Aspinall’s reign as undisputed heavyweight king recently began with no unification fight after Jon Jones’ controversial retirement saw the 30-year-old elevated. Focus is now finally turning away from ‘Bones’ and onto what’s to return.
Soon after news of the Englishman inheriting the crown, three options seemed to be laid out for his next fight, which is able to follow the successful defense of the interim belt Aspinall made by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in 2024.
Ciryl Gane, Jailton Almeida, and Alexander Volkov were all pointed to as possibilities, and probably the most vocal of the three in calling out Aspinall may need just revealed who’s getting the nod.
All signs point to Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane as Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov conform to fight
While Gane and Volkov have remained largely quiet regarding the heavyweight title picture, Almeida has been incredibly energetic on social media in urging the UFC to book him against Aspinall.
However the Brazilian’s calls have apparently fallen on deaf ears as he has now shifted his sights, leading to the likely alternative for the champ’s next fight seemingly being revealed.
After Volkov pondered a title eliminator against Almeida during an interview with MMA Junkie, ‘Malhadinho’ took to X and suggested all parties have given the green light for that fight, including the UFC.
“Excellent news (is) coming,” Almeida wrote on X. “Volkov already agreed. I said near his home in Abu Dhabi, he said in my home in Brazil, each said October or November, so…let’s go! I just like the fight, he likes the fight and UFC likes the fight! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite”
With that, it appears almost certain that Aspinall might be booked to defend his title against former interim champ Gane next. And together with his desire to fight twice in 2025, perhaps there might be time for the Brit to face the winner of Volkov vs. Almeida at the tip of the yr should he get past ‘Bon Gamin’.
Tom Aspinall says ‘ducking’ Ciryl Gane is due a beating
If the Gane fight does come to fruition, it is going to have been a protracted time coming for Aspinall.
While outlining his three options during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Aspinall said Gane is “due a beating” after dismissing a fight against the Englishman before he won the interim title in late 2023.
“I’ve actually fought loads of the highest 10,” Aspinall said. “Considered one of the fellows I’ve not fought is Ciryl Gane, a French guy.
“I used to be actually chasing that fight just a few times before. He was ducking and diving around himself a little bit bit. He’s due a little bit little bit of a beating off me. I stay up for that.
“There’s a pair more guys down the rankings, a Brazilian guy, Jailton Almeida, I’ve not fought,” Aspinall added. “There’s a man I’ve already beat called Alexander Volkov who’s doing rather well for himself as well.”