Footage has emerged online appearing to show Tom Aspinall, wearing protective sparring gear, working with Ciryl Gane ahead of their anticipated rematch.
Footage circulating online appears to show UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall sharing the mat with contender Ciryl Gane in what looks to be a sparring session ahead of their anticipated rematch.
Aspinall, 33, is seen wearing protective sparring gear in the clip. The Englishman out of Team Kaobon carries a 15-3-0 record and holds the UFC heavyweight title, currently sitting sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. At six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, he is one of the most technically complete heavyweights in the sport, landing an exceptional 7.63 significant strikes per minute at 67 percent accuracy — figures that stand out sharply in a division not known for precision. He also adds a takedown threat, averaging 2.62 per 15 minutes.
Gane, known as Bon Gamin, enters as the number two ranked heavyweight. The 36-year-old Frenchman from MMA Factory holds a 14-2-0 record and brings his own considerable striking pedigree to the equation. Standing six-foot-four with a remarkable 81-inch reach — three inches longer than Aspinall's — he lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, making him one of the more technically refined heavyweights on the roster.
Why it matters
- A rematch between the champion and the division's second-ranked contender carries clear title implications at heavyweight.
- Gane's 81-inch reach advantage is a rare physical edge over Aspinall and shapes a compelling stylistic puzzle.
- The footage, if genuine, suggests preparations are already under way, raising questions about when a formal bout agreement could follow.
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers, setting up a technical stand-up battle between two of the division's most accurate punchers.
