Tom Aspinall Agrees to Fight Ciryl Gane at UFC 317

The much-anticipated UFC heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall remains stalled, with Aspinall now reportedly agreeing to defend his interim title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 317 instead. Despite repeated assurances from UFC President Dana White that a Jones-Aspinall fight will happen, insiders suggest that Jones is intentionally delaying, seeking more information on Aspinall’s abilities before committing. This prolonged uncertainty has led Aspinall to become the longest reigning interim champion in UFC history, highlighting the division's instability. Aspinall’s camp has expressed frustration over the ongoing delays, especially as Jones continues to avoid facing top contenders while extending his own championship reign. Analysts believe the UFC’s need for a main event at UFC 317 and Jones’s hesitancy have both contributed to pushing Aspinall toward the Gane matchup. The situation underscores the increasing tension and impatience among fans and fighters regarding the heavyweight title picture.