Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) prepares to fight Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Tom Aspinall Gives His Fight Camp Routine For UFC 321 Against Ciryl Gane

Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) prepares to fight Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Aspinall rose through the ranks by combining natural talent with a calculated training style that keeps him fresh when it matters most. Unlike many fighters who grind themselves into the ground with non-stop training, Aspinall learned early in his career that rest can be just as important as hard work. His methodical approach helped him capture the interim heavyweight title and later become the undisputed champion after Jon Jones vacated the belt. The Manchester native has faced killers like Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, and Sergei Pavlovich, always looking sharp and explosive on fight night.

Now as he prepares for his first undisputed title defense against former interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, Aspinall is sticking to the same proven formula that got him to the top. The Englishman knows that Gane presents a unique challenge with his kickboxing background and slick movement for a heavyweight. The Frenchman has only lost to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones during his UFC run. Aspinall understands that preparation will be key to handling Gane’s technical striking and footwork. This is why he’s brought in specialized sparring partners and adjusted his training camp accordingly.

Tom Aspinall Reveals The Specifics Of His Training Camp

Aspinall’s camp routine starts with something most fighters would consider crazy. He goes a full week of absolutely no training. While other athletes are hitting pads and rolling on mats, the champion takes a complete vacation from anything fight-related. This approach might sound lazy, but it’s actually brilliant. The vacation serves as a mental reset, allowing him to come back hungry and motivated for the grueling weeks ahead.

Once the vacation ends, Aspinall transforms into a training machine. He revealed that he brought in top level sparring partners to simulate Gane’s style. This isn’t just about finding warm bodies to hit though. Aspinall specifically recruits fighters who can mimic Gane’s movement patterns, striking combinations, and overall fighting approach. The heavyweight division is full of different styles, from wrestlers like Curtis Blaydes to knockout artists like Derrick Lewis, so preparing for Gane’s technical kickboxing requires specialized training partners.

Aspinall aslo revealed that his training intensity during the main camp has two phases. If he has a 3-month fight camp, he trains extremely hard during the eight-week period. He pushes his body to its absolute limits in preparation for the championship rounds. This exhausts him fully. But this isn’t a sign of poor planning. After reaching peak exhaustion, the work gradually tapers off as fight night approaches. This allows his body to recover while maintaining the skills and conditioning he’s built up. By the time he walks to the octagon at UFC 321, Aspinall is fresh, sharp, and ready to showcase the technical improvements he’s made specifically for this matchup with Gane!

(Image Credit: Wendell Cruz – Imagn Images)

Ciryl Gane

Tom Aspinall

UFC 321

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!