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Ciryl could go from pain to Gane vs Tom Aspinall as UFC heavyweight title fight predicted

UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER COLUMN: 'Bon Gamin' gets his third crack at the undisputed crown at UFC 321 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, but what chance does he have of unseating the seemingly unstoppable Tom Aspinall?

[Ciryl Gane takes on Tom Aspinall at UFC 321 for the heavyweight title]

Ciryl Gane takes on Tom Aspinall at UFC 321 for the heavyweight title(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

For Bon Gamin, it is a case of everything to Ciryl Gane and nothing to lose when he faces heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday.

Not many pundits expect the challenger to offer much resistance in the Octagon, while bookies make the Frenchman a 3-1 shot to pull off the upset against the 32-year-old Brit.

The odds are not surprising, with Salford superstar Aspinall flattening all before him, bar a freak knee injury leading to a solitary loss in name only.

However, here the Ultimate Insider looks at the chances that Gane has the game to push the champion all the way in their highly-anticipated main event clash.

Bon homie (The case for a Ciryl win):

[Ciryl Gane will be looking to pull off a shock win at UFC 321]

Ciryl Gane will be looking to pull off a shock win at UFC 321(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

For the first time Aspinall will be facing someone as agile and athletic as him in Gane, the 35-year-olds movement being a key factor in the majority of his wins, a trait picked up from his Muay Thai days.

On their feet, this bout should be a close call, with the challenger looking to drag Aspinall beyond two rounds for the first time in his UFC career.

At range, Gane could be one of the first fighters to test the Brits chin, with Bon Gamin saying: Toms the defending champion, but hes never fought someone like me.

I bring something very different. Ive got my own very particular style. I think that is something that he is going to have to contend with.

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The key factor could be the fact that there are so many unknowns around Aspinall still, despite the Brit preparing for his 10th UFC fight.

There is more clear Big Foot footage [the mythical creature, not Antonio Silva] than of Aspinall in any sort of trouble inside the Octagon.

If Gane can prove elusive, taking the scheduled five-round fight into the latter stages, then perhaps a weakness and a shock win could arise.

Bon Bomb (The case for a Ciryl loss):

[Tom Aspinall is the man to beat in the UFC heavyweight division]

Tom Aspinall is the man to beat in the UFC heavyweight division(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

There was nobody else to fight, was Aspinall's dismissive assessment of Gane, in a division that lacks clear challengers and without the star power of the retired Jon Duck Jones.

And looking at Ganes previous attempts to land the heavyweight strap, that is probably a fair call from the champ.

Because, pardon my French, there is no getting away from the fact the Parisian has merde the bed in his two previous shots at the title, losing to a hobbling Francis Ngannou on points, having been outwrestled, before Jones forced a tap out in two minutes in March 2023.

On both occasions, his takedown defence was exposed, though that is something Gane says he has been working on since his No.1 contenders win over Alexander Volkov last December.

[French superstar Ciryl Gane goes on the attack in his win over Alexander Volkov]

French superstar Ciryl Gane goes on the attack in his win over Alexander Volkov(Image: Getty Images)

Bon appetit (The final verdict):

If Gane doesnt win at UFC 321, then his title hopes will be forever consigned to the dusty bin. Win or lose, the Frenchman should provide Aspinalls stiffest test to date.

UP NEXT: UFC 321, Saturday, 7pm. The vacant womens strawweight crown is also on the line as Virna Jandiroba takes on Mackenzie Dern.

MONEY MATCH: Cyril Gane (3/1) can join the likes of Matt Serra and Holly Holm in pulling off a shock title win. Full UFC betting available at Betway.com

FINAL SAY: Ciryls a really good opponent. Hes really unique with his style. That being said, hes never fought anyone like me before. So lets see what happens. Aspinall is set for his title defence.

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