Who’s next for Tom Aspinall if he wins at UFC 321? ‘It’s pretty obvious’

After nearly two years as interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall will finally get to defend the undisputed title at UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25th against Ciryl Gane. Many people are looking past

Gane as a serious opponent, but not Tom who has praised his French opponent and dismissed talk that he needs a fast and furious win to prove anything.

Another big topic of discussion as we roll into Abu Dhabi: who Aspinall could face next if he defeats “Bon Gamin.” There’s a lot of talk of Jon Jones and Alex Pereira, but neither man seems interested in facing the imposing British champion. Instead, Aspinall is prepared to fight the next contender who he believes will make himself clear on the undercard of UFC 321.

“Whatever the UFC wants to do,” Aspinall said during UFC 321 media day interviews. “It’s pretty obvious that they’re going to do winner vs. winner of me vs Gane, and Volkov vs. Almeida. Not like a tag team match. The winner of us vs. the winner of them, that’s what I think it’s going to be next for the heavyweight title.”

That’s not the most exciting option in the world. Aspinall has already cut through Volkov, submitting the Russian via armbar in the first round of their 2022 fight. And Almeida? Daniel Cormier was caught on a hot mic sharing his opinion on how much of a challenge he presents.

“Jailton can’t fight,” Cormier told Aspinall in what he thought was a private conversation. “You beat him in the first round!”

Aspinall has only left the first round once in his five year stint with the UFC, so more first round finishes are almost the expectation these days. Tom is keeping things in perspective, though.

“As far as being a long reigning heavyweight champion and stuff like that, we’ll just see how it goes,” he said. “I am confident I am the best fighter in the division, but it’s heavyweight MMA. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Heavyweight has been such a turbulent division over the years that Stipe Miocic holds the record for most consecutive defenses with 3. But Aspinall is well positioned, and not just because of his slick submission game and blistering boxing. If he beats Gane, he’ll have already defeated the four top ranked fighters in his division, with only ‘can’t fight’ Almeida left in the top five to face.