Ciryl Gane’s journey to the top of the UFC heavyweight division has been one of the fastest and most impressive in recent memory. As he prepares to face Tom Aspinall for the undisputed title at UFC 321, the French star could join an elite group — or tie an unwanted record if he falls short for a third time in a title fight.
When Gane made his UFC debut in 2019 with just three professional bouts, his speed, movement, and technical striking instantly marked him as a new breed of heavyweight. He stormed through the division, going 7-0 in his first seven UFC fights — a feat previously achieved only by former champions Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.
During this streak, Gane defeated top names including Junior dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov, showcasing an unmatched level of composure and precision for a fighter so early in his career. His rise culminated in an interim title bout against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August 2021, where he delivered a clinical performance to claim the belt.
Gane’s dominance in that fight set a UFC record for the largest strike differential in a heavyweight title bout, outlanding Lewis by 98 significant strikes to 16 before earning a third-round TKO.
However, a 2022 loss to Francis Ngannou in their title unification fight revealed weaknesses in his wrestling and grappling — vulnerabilities that have since defined the narrative around him. Despite that setback, Gane remains one of the most technically skilled and athletic heavyweights in UFC history.
As he steps into the Octagon against Aspinall on October 25, “Bon Gamin” will look not only to win his first undisputed championship but also to reaffirm his place among the elite of the division he once dominated.
