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Tom Aspinall celebrates after knocking out Curtis Blaydes in their interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 304. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Tom Aspinall’s next opponent likely confirmed as the other 2 options negotiate a contender fight instead

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 2:56 PM ET

It seems that two of the three options for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s next fight know something the fans don’t yet.

Aspinall’s reign as undisputed heavyweight king recently began without a unification fight after Jon Jones’ controversial retirement saw the 30-year-old elevated. Focus is now finally turning away from ‘Bones’ and onto what is to come.

Soon after news of the Englishman inheriting the crown, three options appeared to be laid out for his next fight, which will follow the successful defense of the interim belt Aspinall made by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in 2024.

Ciryl Gane, Jailton Almeida, and Alexander Volkov were all pointed to as possibilities, and the most vocal of the three in calling out Aspinall might have just revealed who is getting the nod.

All signs point to Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane as Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov agree to fight

While Gane and Volkov have remained largely quiet regarding the heavyweight title picture, Almeida has been incredibly active on social media in urging the UFC to book him against Aspinall.

But the Brazilian’s calls have apparently fallen on deaf ears as he has now shifted his sights, resulting in the likely choice for the champ’s next fight seemingly being revealed.

After Volkov pondered a title eliminator against Almeida during an interview with MMA Junkie, ‘Malhadinho’ took to X and suggested all parties have given the green light for that fight, including the UFC.

“Good news (is) coming,” Almeida wrote on X. “Volkov already agreed. I said close to his home in Abu Dhabi, he said in my home in Brazil, both said October or November, so…let’s go! I like the fight, he likes the fight and UFC likes the fight! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite”

With that, it appears almost certain that Aspinall will be booked to defend his title against former interim champ Gane next. And with his desire to fight twice in 2025, perhaps there will be time for the Brit to face the winner of Volkov vs. Almeida at the end of the year should he get past ‘Bon Gamin’.

Good news are comming…Volkov already agreed. I said close to his home in Abu Dhabi, he said in my home in Brazil, both said october or november, so…lets go! I like the fight, he likes the fight and UFC likes the fight! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite pic.twitter.com/k1CG6FOXPT
— Jailton Almeida “Malhadinho” (@Malhadinho_UFC) July 9, 2025

Tom Aspinall says ‘ducking’ Ciryl Gane is due a beating

If the Gane fight does come to fruition, it will have been a long time coming for Aspinall.

While outlining his three options during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Aspinall said Gane is “due a beating” after dismissing a fight against the Englishman before he won the interim title in late 2023.

“I’ve actually fought a lot of the top 10,” Aspinall said. “One of the guys I’ve not fought is Ciryl Gane, a French guy.

“I was actually chasing that fight a few times before. He was ducking and diving around himself a little bit. He is due a little bit of a beating off me. I look forward to that.

“There’s a couple more guys down the rankings, a Brazilian guy, Jailton Almeida, I’ve not fought,” Aspinall added. “There’s a guy I’ve already beat called Alexander Volkov who’s doing really well for himself as well.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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