Tom Aspinall Back in Full Training for Ciryl Gane Rematch as ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ Persona Fades

Ciryl Gane captured the interim heavyweight title in emphatic fashion at UFC Freedom 250, knocking out Alex Pereira before immediately calling for a unification bout against undisputed champion Tom Aspinall in Paris later this year. While Aspinall verbally accepted the challenge shortly after, questions remained about his recovery following double eye surgery stemming from the bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome he suffered at UFC 321 after a series of eye pokes during his first meeting with Gane.

Now, it appears the British heavyweight is finally ready to return. On Thursday, Aspinall took to X to confirm that he has resumed full training and revealed that discussions with the UFC regarding the highly anticipated rematch are already underway. 

He wrote, “Back in full training for the Ciryl Gane fight, and we’re currently in talks with the UFC. We filmed The Inner Game during my recovery between February and March, and those conversations genuinely helped me through a tough time. These episodes will be coming out over the next 12 weeks while I’m in camp. Hope you enjoy Episode 1.”

Back in full training for the Ciryl Gane fight and we’re currently in talks with the UFC. 👊 We filmed The Inner Game during my recovery between February and March, and those conversations genuinely helped me through a tough time. These episodes will be coming out over the next… pic.twitter.com/UMF3LsW1cc

— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) June 25, 2026

ALSO READ: Ilia Topuria’s Trainer Offers Encouraging Health Update, Hints at December 2026 UFC Comeback

The update marks a significant milestone in what has been an incredibly difficult eight-month stretch for Aspinall. Since suffering the devastating injury in October 2025, the heavyweight champion has been forced to focus on rehabilitation rather than competition. The controversial ending at UFC 321 also made history, marking the first time a UFC title fight inside the Octagon ended in a no-contest.

Despite the frustration of the situation, Aspinall handled the aftermath with remarkable composure. Even as several prominent MMA personalities, including Dana White, Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, T.J. Dillashaw, and Anthony Smith, mocked or downplayed his injury, the Englishman largely refrained from engaging in public feuds.

However, fans may see a different version of Aspinall when he finally returns to action. The heavyweight champion previously suggested that the ordeal had changed his outlook and approach to the sport. Around seven months ago, Aspinall had warned, “When I come back, there is no more ‘Mr Nice Guy’. Nice Tom, when it comes to MMA, is gone. I’m going full bad guy.”

Tom Aspinall says he’s done with being the ‘nice guy’ in MMA

“When I come back, there is no more Mr. Nice Guy— Nice Tom, when it comes to MMA, it’s gone. I’m going full bad guy.”

via @AspinallMMA pic.twitter.com/YpnYwTBw4K

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) June 25, 2026

This apparent shift in attitude has already been accompanied by a major change outside the Octagon. Aspinall recently signed with veteran boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom Talent Agency, with Hearn now overseeing the UFC heavyweight champion’s business interests. The partnership is particularly noteworthy given Hearn’s long-running war of words with Dana White. 

The two promoters have frequently traded barbs over the years, especially following White’s attempts to expand into boxing through Zuffa Boxing. Hearn has also made it clear that while he is willing to work with the UFC, he has no intention of allowing Aspinall to continue competing under what he believes are outdated contractual terms. The British promoter has already suggested that the heavyweight champion deserves significantly improved compensation and intends to push for a new deal before any future title defense is finalized.

Fortunately for fans, answers may not be too far away, with negotiations expected to develop over the coming weeks and months. As for the rematch itself, UFC 332 or UFC 333 in October appears to be the most likely destination for Aspinall vs. Gane 2. The event is widely expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, a location that carries added significance given that it was the site of Aspinall’s injury-plagued first encounter with Gane at UFC 321.

Although Aspinall recently expressed interest in facing Gane at UFC Paris in September, that event is not expected to be a numbered pay-per-view. Given the magnitude of a heavyweight title unification bout, it seems unlikely that the UFC would place one of the biggest fights in the division on a non-PPV card.