Tom Aspinall trolls Ciryl Gane’s foul-prone reputation in training video

Tom Aspinall has taken a lighthearted jab at Ciryl Gane's controversial fight history, posting a satirical training video ahead of their anticipated rematch for the heavyweight title. The clip, shared on Instagram with the caption "Training for the rematch has begun," shows footage of Gane landing low blows, eye pokes, and back-of-the-head shots, before cutting to Aspinall donning a metallic groin guard and motorcycle helmet for comedic effect.

Gane's reputation for illegal strikes has grown increasingly problematic. At UFC 320 in October, a double eye poke from Gane in the first round forced Aspinall to withdraw from their heavyweight title bout, resulting in a no contest. With Aspinall sidelined by injury, Gane faced Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title earlier this month at UFC White House, where he secured a second-round finish. However, the victory came amid accusations that Gane threw multiple back-of-the-head shots during the finishing sequence—a continuation of his pattern of questionable techniques.

Aspinall's (15-3) humorous video serves as both entertainment and a pointed reminder of the issues that have plagued Gane (14-2) throughout his career. With a title unifier now expected between the two heavyweight contenders once Aspinall returns to action, the Englishman's tongue-in-cheek preparation highlights the legitimate defensive concerns he will face against an opponent with a documented history of bending the rules. The video has resonated with the MMA community, bringing attention to officiating concerns that may influence how referees monitor their upcoming championship bout.