Tom Aspinall Mocks Heavyweight Rival For Turning Down UFC Title Fight

Photo: Instagram/Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion, is eager for big fights, but his division isn't making it easy. The British fighter won the interim title in November by stepping in for an injured Jon Jones to fight Sergei Pavlovich. 

Now, he's set to defend his title at UFC 304 in Manchester this summer, facing Curtis Blaydes, the only man to have defeated him in the UFC. However, Aspinall had his sights set on another opponent.

French heavyweight Ciryl Gane, who previously fought Jones for the belt, was initially considered for the fight. However, Gane reportedly turned down the match to focus on his role in an upcoming movie. This decision led to some light-hearted teasing from Aspinall.

Photo: Instagram/Tom Aspinall

In a promo for his show, "Tom Aspinall’s Fight Lab" on TNT Sports, Aspinall joked about Gane's absence. When co-host Adam Catterall mentioned that their intended guest canceled to shoot a film, Aspinall quipped, "Shooting a film? Who would turn me down to do a film?"

In an interview with The Mac Life, Aspinall speculated that Gane might be more interested in acting than fighting, joking, "Maybe he wants to be the French Arnold Schwarzenegger. Fair play to him. Good luck."

Tom Aspinall pokes fun at Ciryl Gane in new skit 😂

“Who would turn me down to do a film?”

🎥 @ufcontnt #UFC304 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/f1MiBul74y

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 27, 2024

Despite the banter, Aspinall expressed respect for Gane and wished him well in his acting career, even though he admitted he probably wouldn't watch the movie that cost him a desired fight. "No hard feelings against Ciryl," Aspinall said. "I respect him. I respect what he’s doing."

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Source: Bloody Elbow