"They keep declining each other" - Fans react as Ciryl Gane claims Tom Aspinall declined a fight against him in March 2024

Ciryl Gane has not competed since September 2023 when he defeated Serghei Spivac via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 226. He appeared set to return against Alexander Volkov at UFC 308 in October, however, his opponent suffered a knee injury that delayed the bout until UFC 310 this weekend.

'Bon Gamin' recently claimed that Tom Aspinall turned down the opportunity to face him in March. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the No.2-ranked heavyweight was asked if he attempted to face the No.1-ranked heavyweight, responding:

"Yeah, yeah, of course, [in] March, but it was not possible because he said I refused him in September, but the UFC didn't propose me any contract with him. And like I've said, I'm looking for the best for me and every time is in front of me and this is exactly what he's doing now - just looking [in] front of him. But I didn't ask him on the social media but the UFC knew this is a fight that we're looking for."

Check out Ciryl Gane's comments on facing Tom Aspinall below:

Fans reacted to Gane's claims that Aspinall turned down the matchup. @Sweeegu noted that both fighters continue to decline one another:

"Their romance is so weird. They keep declining each other"

@vintage_polo22 labeled Aspinall as a duck:

"it’s so ironic now lol. Tom’s a duck. sh*ts sad"

@TheCSMatrixer believes the No.1-ranked heavyweight was giving Gane a taste of his own medicine:

"Tom wanted to fight Gane for the longest time but Gane didn’t want to fight him because he would always say he wanted to fight someone ahead of him. But when Tom became the man at HW, that’s the only time he wanted to fight him. Tom just gave Gane a taste of his own medicine"

@_SchuZ_ wants to see the two share the octagon:

"Not sure if that actually occurred, but this would be a fun fight to make after the Aspinall vs Jones fight occurs."

Check out the best fan reactions below:

Fan reactions

Ciryl Gane weighs in on whether Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall have a better chance against Jon Jones

Ciryl Gane had the opportunity to share the octagon with Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023, losing the bout via first-round submission. He was asked if he believes Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall pose a bigger threat to the heavyweight champion during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, responding:

"[Jones] proved it another time. He's so dangerous, he's capable of changing, he can do everything you want, so even if you have a guy [who is] really good on his striking or the wrestling, he can manage this. So, maybe I'm going to say Tom because he's more well-rounded. When you have a guy like Alex Pereira, he's so dangerous on the striking, so everything is possible. So, it's too hard to have a good answer."

Check out Ciryl Gane's comments on who has a better chance of beating Jon Jones below:

Jones has expressed interest in a superfight against Pereira, while UFC CEO Dana White has shared that he expects 'Bones' to face Aspinall next. It is unclear what will transpire next for the heavyweight champion.