Tom Aspinall Stops Ciryl Gane to Retain UFC Heavyweight Title in Las Vegas Thriller

On October 25, 2025, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, erupted as Tom Aspinall defended his UFC heavyweight title with a third-round TKO over Ciryl Gane at 2:30, solidifying his reign in the post-Jon Jones era. Aspinall, leveraging his explosive power, landed 62 of 98 significant strikes (63% accuracy) and secured two knockdowns, overwhelming Gane’s technical striking. The French challenger, known for his elusiveness, landed 48 of 110 strikes (44%) but couldn’t withstand Aspinall’s relentless pressure, dropping to 13-4. The 18,000-strong crowd, a vibrant mix of Vegas fight fans and British supporters, roared as Aspinall’s finishing instincts shone, chanting “Tom-my!” in a neon-lit spectacle. Airing live on ESPN+ PPV at 10:00 p.m. ET as the main event of UFC 323, alongside Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev, the fight delivered on X hype, with @UFC tweeting, “Aspinall’s a wrecking ball—Gane got steamrolled!” This title defense, part of a blockbuster card, cemented Aspinall as the division’s king while keeping Gane relevant in a stacked heavyweight landscape.

Fight Overview

The Aspinall vs. Gane main event headlined UFC 323’s main card, a 12-fight pay-per-view event with prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the main card at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Slated for 10:00 p.m. ET, the five-round bout was Aspinall’s first title defense since winning the belt via TKO over Curtis Blaydes in July 2025, with the winner eyeing a potential superfight against Alexander Volkov. BetMGM odds listed Aspinall as the -180 favorite, reflecting his knockout streak (6 KOs in 8 UFC fights), while Gane’s +150 underdog status highlighted his 7 KOs in 13 wins. X posts fueled the hype, with @MMABuzzX tweeting, “Aspinall’s power vs. Gane’s finesse—someone’s getting slept,” and @CageVibeX predicting a “KO before Round 4.” The T-Mobile Arena’s 18,000 fans, amped by Vegas’s fight-week festivities like fan expos on the Strip and live music at Fremont Street, created a fever-pitch atmosphere. Fans split 60% for Aspinall’s power and 40% for Gane’s upset potential, per @SkyBet polls, with the bout billed as a defining moment for heavyweight’s future.

Tom Aspinall: The 32-year-old from Salford, England, entered with a 15-3 record (8-1 UFC), including 12 knockouts. At 6’5” with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox fighter’s 5.8 significant strikes per minute and 65% accuracy (UFC Stats) define his blitzing style. His 2025 TKO of Blaydes showcased his speed, averaging 2.1 knockdowns per fight. Trained at Team Kaobon, X clips show Aspinall drilling power shots with Darren Till. @MMAJunkie notes, “Aspinall’s the division’s new face—unstoppable.”

Ciryl Gane: The 35-year-old from La Roche-sur-Yon, France, carried a 13-3 record (6-2 UFC), with 7 knockouts. At 6’4” with an 81-inch reach, the orthodox striker’s 4.9 significant strikes per minute and 58% accuracy (UFC Stats) highlight his Muay Thai base. His 2024 KO of Don’Tale Mayes marked his return. Training at MMA Factory, X footage shows Gane sharpening footwork with Francis Ngannou. @BetsMMAX tweets, “Gane’s +150 odds scream value—his movement could frustrate.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The Vegas crowd chants “Let’s go, Tommy!” as Aspinall opens with a low kick, pressuring Gane against the cage. Gane counters with a jab, but Aspinall lands a right cross at 1:15, wobbling him. Gane recovers, landing a body kick, but Aspinall’s flurry secures a flash knockdown at 2:40. Gane rises, clinching to reset. Aspinall lands 22 of 32 significant strikes (69%) to Gane’s 14 of 30 (47%), per UFC Stats. @UFC scores it 10-8 Aspinall, tweeting, “Tom’s power is unreal—Gane’s in trouble.”

Round 2: Gane starts sharper, landing a spinning heel kick at 0:50, but Aspinall absorbs it, closing distance with a double-leg takedown attempt. Gane stuffs it, but Aspinall’s overhand right grazes him. Aspinall’s pressure dominates, landing 20 of 33 strikes (61%) to Gane’s 16 of 35 (46%), with 1:20 of clinch control. @CagePulseUFC calls it 10-9 Aspinall, noting, “Gane’s movement is slick, but Tom’s relentless.”

Round 3: Trailing, Gane needs a finish. He lands a crisp one-two combo, but Aspinall counters with a left hook, dropping Gane at 1:50. Aspinall pounces with ground-and-pound, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 2:30. Aspinall lands 20 of 33 strikes in the round. @SherdogX confirms the TKO, tweeting, “Aspinall’s a beast—Vegas goes wild!”

Key Moments and Impact

• Aspinall’s First-Round Knockdown: His right cross at 2:40 set the tone, landing 63% of significant strikes overall. @MMAVibeX tweeted, “Tom’s power is terrifying—Gane couldn’t handle it.”
• Gane’s Second-Round Kick: His spinning heel kick showed flair, but 44% accuracy couldn’t shift momentum. @BetsX365: “Gane’s technical, but Aspinall’s a storm.”
• Third-Round Finish: The left hook and ground-and-pound sealed it, per @FightFanX: “Aspinall’s TKO was brutal—new era confirmed.”
• Fan Reaction: T-Mobile’s 18,000 fans erupted, with X splitting 65% for Aspinall (@UFC_Europe: “Tom’s the king”) and 35% for Gane’s grit (@showtimebets67: “Ciryl’s a warrior”).

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Aspinall called out Alexander Volkov, saying, “I want all the smoke—let’s unify the division.” His ninth UFC win, including a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, cements him as heavyweight’s top dog. His 63% striking accuracy and 2.1 knockdown average highlight his dominance, though Gane’s kicks tested his defense. @TheAthleticMMA: “Aspinall’s the future—unbeatable now.”

Gane, gracious in defeat, told ESPN, “Tom was better tonight—I’ll regroup.” His fourth loss (13-4) keeps him top-5, with X suggesting a rebound vs. Marcin Tybura. @maniacbetsmma: “Gane’s still elite—needs wrestling tweaks.” Heavyweight remains chaotic, with Volkov and Shamil Gaziev lurking.

Event Context and Las Vegas Atmosphere

UFC 323 dazzled with Pereira’s title defense and Shara Magomedov’s KO. Prelims featured a submission by Gillian Robertson. T-Mobile’s 18,000 fans, amid Strip expos and Fremont Street concerts, created electric vibes. @UFC tweeted, “Vegas brings the chaos!” 70% finish rate and ESPN+ PPV success marked a classic.

What’s Next?

Aspinall eyes Volkov at UFC 325 in March 2026; Gane faces Tybura in January. Aspinall’s TKO cements his reign, with unification dreams next.

Aspinall vs. Gane on October 25, 2025, saw Tom Aspinall stop Ciryl Gane in Round 3, his 63% striking accuracy and power securing the heavyweight title. T-Mobile’s electric roar and blockbuster card amplified the stakes. As Aspinall hunts unification and Gane rebounds, this defines heavyweight’s new era.