UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is one step closer to his long-awaited Octagon return in a likely rematch with interim champ Ciryl Gane.
"Back in full training for the Ciryl Gane fight, and we're currently in talks with the UFC," Aspinall wrote Thursday on X.
Aspinall has been out of action since suffering an eye injury in his no-contest against Gane at UFC 321 last October. The 33-year-old underwent surgery in February, but his recovery has taken much longer than expected.
With Aspinall sidelined, Gane fought Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title at the UFC's event at the White House earlier in June, scoring a second-round TKO victory. The promotion has not yet announced Aspinall-Gane 2, though the rematch is widely expected to happen next.
Aspinall became the undisputed heavyweight champion after Jon Jones announced his retirement in June 2025. Last year's bout against Gane marked Aspinall's first undisputed title defense.
The Englishman signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency earlier in 2026 to handle his business dealings with the UFC.
