A recent training session between interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett is fueling rumors that Aspinall’s next opponent will indeed be Ciryl Gane.

Aspinall earned his shot at Jon Jones’ heavyweight belt with an impressive stoppage of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. However, Jones doesn’t seem too eager to face Aspinall even though Dana White has guaranteed Aspinall vs Jones will happen in 2025. Instead of waiting for Jones, rumors have been swirling for weeks that Aspinall could be fighting Ciryl Gane first in order to give the UFC heavyweight champ the six months he reportedly asked for to prepare to fight Aspinall.

During a training video Aspinall uploaded featuring him training with his fellow British fighter Paddy Pimblett, Aspinall’s camera man asked him if Paddy was a good training partner for Gane in what was possibly an intended leak.