Aspinall mocks Gane's foul history in training video ahead of heavyweight title unifier

Tom Aspinall is wasting no time getting under Ciryl Gane’s skin ahead of their UFC heavyweight title unifier, posting an Instagram video of himself training in a motorcycle helmet and metallic groin guard as a pointed dig at the Frenchman’s history of illegal blows.

Aspinall (15-3) shared a clip that first compiled footage of Gane (14-2) landing low blows, eye pokes, and back-of-the-head shots on opponents, before cutting to the Englishman suiting up in improvised protective gear. “Training for the rematch has begun,” Aspinall wrote in the caption.

The jab lands with particular weight given the circumstances of their first meeting. At UFC 320 last October, Gane challenged Aspinall for the undisputed heavyweight title, but the fight was ruled a no contest in the first round after a double eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue.

With Aspinall sidelined while recovering from the eye injury, Gane stepped in to face Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title earlier this month. Gane stopped “Poatan” in the second round to claim the interim belt, though the finishing sequence drew fresh scrutiny — the Frenchman was accused of landing several back-of-the-head shots before the stoppage.

Gane is now expected to challenge Aspinall in a title unification bout once the British champion returns to action, setting up a rematch that carries both a belt and a point to prove on each side.