Ciryl Gane has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and now the former UFC interim heavyweight champion has delivered a sharp warning to the division’s new star. With Tom Aspinall riding high after capturing the interim heavyweight title, Gane has made it clear that he doesn’t buy into the hype. In his own words, Aspinall is “just a temporary champion” until the true king of the heavyweight division is crowned.

The French striker’s comments come at a time when the heavyweight class is more unpredictable than ever. With Jon Jones sidelined by injury and a legacy bout with Stipe Miocic still on the horizon, fighters like Aspinall and Gane are battling for position. And if Gane has his way, he’ll soon have the chance to prove inside the Octagon that Aspinall’s reign is only temporary.

Ciryl Gane’s Journey to the Top

Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane burst onto the UFC scene in 2019 and quickly became one of the most technically skilled strikers in heavyweight history. His kickboxing background, fluid movement, and distance control allowed him to outclass opponents who were far bigger and more powerful.

He captured the interim heavyweight title in 2021 after defeating Derrick Lewis, setting up a blockbuster unification bout with then-champion Francis Ngannou. While Gane held his own early, Ngannou shocked the world by outwrestling him and winning a decision. That loss highlighted a weakness that would later come back to haunt him against Jon Jones in March 2023, when Jones submitted him in just over two minutes.

Despite those setbacks, Gane remains one of the most dangerous and marketable fighters in the heavyweight division. And now, with Aspinall holding the interim belt, he sees an opportunity to reclaim his place at the top.

Aspinall’s Meteoric Rise

Tom Aspinall, by contrast, is the new blood in the heavyweight scene. Since debuting in 2020, the British powerhouse has taken the division by storm with his blazing speed, crisp boxing, and underrated grappling skills.

Standing 6’5” with a 78-inch reach, Aspinall has demolished nearly every opponent put in front of him, finishing most inside the first round. His highlight-reel knockout of Sergei Pavlovich to claim the interim heavyweight belt in 2023 put the world on notice. Unlike many heavyweights who rely solely on power, Aspinall blends speed, movement, and submissions in a way that makes him uniquely dangerous.

But while fans and analysts praise him as the “future of the heavyweight division,” Ciryl Gane isn’t convinced.

Gane’s Warning to Aspinall

In a recent interview, Gane pulled no punches when addressing Aspinall’s rise.

“Tom is a good fighter, I respect what he’s done,” Gane admitted. “But let’s be clear — he’s not the real champion. He’s just a temporary champion. The belt only means something when you beat the best, and the best is not Pavlovich. The best is Jon Jones. Until you fight him, you are holding a placeholder.”

These comments struck a chord with fans, many of whom see Gane as downplaying Aspinall’s achievements. Still, Gane argues that he knows better than most how much tougher the challenge gets once you’re facing the true elite of the division.

The Shadow of Jon Jones

Much of this debate circles back to Jon Jones, the man many still consider the greatest fighter of all time. Jones’ move to heavyweight culminated in a dominant submission victory over Gane himself, showing the gap between being “very good” and being the undisputed best.

For Gane, that fight is a constant reminder of what it means to face the pinnacle of the sport. And for Aspinall, it represents the ultimate test still waiting in his future.

“People are quick to crown new champions,” Gane said. “But Jon is the real king. He beat me easily, and until someone beats him, there’s no true champion. Tom is strong, yes, but he hasn’t been tested at that level yet.”

Aspinall’s Response

Unsurprisingly, Aspinall has not taken kindly to being labeled a “temporary champion.” Known for his calm confidence, the Englishman brushed off Gane’s remarks with his usual composure.

“I’m not interested in talking,” Aspinall said in response. “If Ciryl thinks I’m just a temporary champion, he’s welcome to step into the cage with me and find out. I respect him, but I’ll expose the same weaknesses that others have. The difference is, I won’t let him off the hook.”

Aspinall’s reference to Gane’s grappling vulnerabilities is not accidental. Many see the Brit’s mix of high-level boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as the perfect formula to dismantle Gane, much like Ngannou and Jones did in the past.

Why This Matchup Makes Sense

With Jones and Miocic expected to fight in what may be more of a retirement spectacle than a competitive title clash, the UFC needs fresh blood to carry the heavyweight division forward. A fight between Aspinall and Gane is the perfect solution — a battle between Europe’s two biggest heavyweight stars with contrasting styles.

From a promotional standpoint, it’s also a dream matchup. Aspinall represents the new generation, fast, technical, and evolving. Gane represents the experienced striker who has already been to the mountaintop once and is desperate to reclaim his spot.

Fan Reactions to Gane’s Claim

Fans have been divided on Gane’s warning. Some agree with him, pointing out that Aspinall has yet to fight Jon Jones, and therefore cannot truly be considered the best. Others argue that Aspinall’s performances speak for themselves and that he is already more complete than Gane ever was.

Social media is filled with debates comparing their resumes. While Gane has faced bigger names, Aspinall has been far more dominant. The looming question is whether dominance against lower-ranked opposition outweighs competitive losses to the very best.

Keys to the Fight: Striker vs. Grappler

If Aspinall vs. Gane does happen, it will be a classic striker vs. grappler contest — though Aspinall complicates that formula with his own striking skills.

• For Gane, the key will be distance management. He must use his kicks and footwork to keep Aspinall on the outside and avoid takedowns.

• For Aspinall, the goal will be to close the distance, mix his boxing with level changes, and test Gane’s ground defense.

The winner would not only cement themselves as the top active heavyweight but also build undeniable momentum toward a unification fight with Jon Jones.

Conclusion

Ciryl Gane’s warning that Tom Aspinall is “just a temporary champion” has added another layer of intrigue to the heavyweight division. Whether it’s confidence, mind games, or a genuine belief that Aspinall is unproven, Gane has thrown down the gauntlet.

For Aspinall, the challenge is clear: prove that his belt isn’t temporary by defeating established names like Gane on his way to Jon Jones. For Gane, it’s a chance at redemption, an opportunity to erase the sting of past defeats and silence the critics who doubt his grappling.

One thing is certain — if this fight happens, the heavyweight division will finally have clarity about who the true heir to the throne is. Until then, the debate rages on: is Tom Aspinall the future, or is Ciryl Gane right that he’s only holding the belt for now?