The UFC heavyweight division is bracing itself for one of the most intriguing title fights of 2025. On October 25th at UFC 321, reigning heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will step inside the Octagon to defend his crown against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. It is a matchup that promises high drama, technical brilliance, and the potential for fireworks between two of the most athletic big men the sport has ever seen.

As anticipation builds, one of Aspinall’s close allies and frequent training partners, Martin Buday, has spoken up about the champion’s preparations and prospects. Buday, who has trained extensively with Aspinall’s camp, expressed unwavering faith in the British star’s ability to deliver a “spectacular finish” and cement his position as the face of the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Martin Buday’s Confidence in Aspinall

Buday is no stranger to elite competition. The Slovakian heavyweight has fought at the highest levels and recently signed with Oktagon MMA, where he is targeting championship success. His perspective on Aspinall carries weight, not only because of his own credentials but also due to the countless hours he has spent training alongside the champion and his team.

“Like I love Tom Aspinall and like his team, his father, like everyone in that team. So I’m really looking up to that fight. I will be cheering for Tom. I think he will secure like spectacular win and finish in that and like defend the title. So I’m very happy for him,” Buday said.

He added that being part of Aspinall’s training environment has sharpened his own skills and broadened his outlook as a fighter. “I’m really thankful like for the last fights I was preparing with them. So they really affected my game plan, my style, and everything. So I will be going there soon. So I’m really excited. I’m really excited for them all and for Tom especially. He’s my good friend.”

The Rise of Team Aspinall

Behind every champion stands a strong team, and in Aspinall’s case, his camp has grown into a powerhouse collective within the sport. In addition to Buday, the camp includes Phil De Fries, the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in KSW history, who has dominated the European scene for years. With multiple heavyweights training together, pushing each other, and sharing knowledge, Team Aspinall has developed a reputation as one of the toughest training environments in the world.

Buday himself is aiming to recapture championship gold. Having signed with Oktagon MMA, he is on track for a showdown with reigning heavyweight champion Will Fleury. If Buday succeeds in reclaiming the OMMA belt while Aspinall and De Fries continue to reign in their respective promotions, it would create a rare scenario where members of the same camp hold heavyweight titles across multiple major organizations.

“Yeah, that would be like nice. To secure the belts in the big promotions all over the world. So yeah, Team Aspinall is going big,” Buday said with a laugh.

Why Buday Turned Down KSW

Despite KSW’s reputation as Europe’s premier MMA promotion, Buday made it clear that his loyalty to his training partners prevented him from signing with the Polish organization. With Phil De Fries holding the heavyweight crown there and Štefan Vojčák competing as a top contender, Buday had no interest in entering a situation where he might be forced to face his teammates.

“Yeah, I like KSW too, but I didn’t even consider to join KSW because Phil [De Fries] is there and also his next opponent Štefan Vojčák, who they will be fighting together. He’s my sparring partner and my friend in Slovakia, when I’m training in Slovakia. So my two friends [are] fighting there, one is contender, one is titleholder,” Buday explained.

“So there was like no; I didn’t want to come to KSW to face any of them because I don’t like that stuff. Like fighting my teammates when we [are] like growing together, train together, and everything. So I’m loyal teammate. I didn’t want to fight any of my teammates. I even declined fighting Mick Parkin before. He’s also part of the Tom Aspinall team or his camp. So, back in time when I was in UFC. So I don’t like stuff like that, to fighting my teammates.”

The Matchup: Aspinall vs. Gane

The UFC 321 main event is a stylistic clash between two of the most technical heavyweights in history. Tom Aspinall brings a blend of boxing sharpness, slick footwork, lightning-fast hands, and underrated grappling. At 6’5” and 260 pounds, he moves with the speed and fluidity of a middleweight, making him a nightmare matchup for slower, more rigid heavyweights.

Ciryl Gane, however, is one of the few fighters who can match Aspinall’s athleticism. Known for his striking finesse, precision, and movement, Gane has been widely regarded as one of the best kickboxers in MMA. His weakness has historically been his grappling, which was exposed in title fights against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, both of whom were able to control him on the ground.

This raises a critical question: Will Aspinall look to test Gane’s wrestling defense, or will he choose to engage in a striking battle?

The Stakes of UFC 321

For Aspinall, this fight represents a chance to make his first official title defense and silence any critics who question his staying power as champion. A win over Gane would not only strengthen his resume but also mark him as the true standard-bearer of the post-Ngannou, post-Miocic heavyweight era.

For Gane, UFC 321 is a shot at redemption. Twice before, he has fought for undisputed gold and come up short. Another loss could brand him as a fighter unable to seize the big moment, despite his immense skill set. A win, however, would re-establish him as the man to beat in the division and possibly set up blockbuster fights against contenders like Sergei Pavlovich or Curtis Blaydes.

Buday’s Prediction: A Spectacular Finish

While analysts remain divided on how the fight might unfold, Buday has no doubt about the outcome. His prediction is that Aspinall will find his moment, capitalize on it, and secure a finish in highlight-reel fashion.

Given Aspinall’s track record, the claim isn’t far-fetched. The British champion has a knack for ending fights quickly, with the majority of his wins coming in the first round. His combination of speed and accuracy often overwhelms opponents before they can settle into the fight.

Buday’s belief in a spectacular finish is not only rooted in friendship but also in his firsthand knowledge of Aspinall’s training intensity, preparation, and ability to execute under pressure.

Conclusion

As UFC 321 draws near, the anticipation for Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane continues to build. With training partners like Martin Buday backing him to deliver a spectacular performance, Aspinall enters the Octagon not just as a champion but as a fighter surrounded by a loyal and highly skilled team.

The stakes are enormous. A win for Aspinall would confirm his status as the future of the heavyweight division, while a victory for Gane would breathe new life into his career. For fans, the promise of a technical yet explosive matchup makes this one of the must-watch events of the year.

And if Buday’s prediction proves accurate, UFC 321 could end with Aspinall raising his hand once again — after delivering a finish that adds yet another spectacular chapter to his rapidly growing legacy.