[embedded content]
ABU DHABI – Tom Aspinall pays no mind to being a big favorite against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) defends his heavyweight title against Gane (13-2 MMA, 102- UFC) in Saturday’s main event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, FX/Disney+/ESPN+) at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
According to FanDuel, Aspinall is a -500 favorite over Gane, who’s a +340 underdog. Aspinall thinks too many people are underestimating Gane.
“I think there’s this notion with the media and maybe the fans that Ciryl is not very good, which is just complete bullsh*t,” Aspinall told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I think that he’s really, really good. He’s super talented, he’s been at the top of the division for a number of years, which is not easy to do.
“He’s been an interim champion himself. He’s obviously had two title shots for the undisputed title, as well, so I think the guy is really good. I’ve took him extremely, extremely seriously. The fact that people expect it to be an easy fight, I don’t read into that at all. I’m prepared for a really hard fight.”
That being said, Aspinall, who averages a 2-minute fight time, remains confident in his ability to put anyone away quickly. Gane said he has the capability of dragging Aspinall into deep waters, which the Brit sees as a good omen.
“Did he actually use the words ‘deep water’?” Aspinall said of Gane. “Everybody who said the words ‘deep waters’ gets knocked out in the first minute. Go back and check the media that you’ve done. So, I’m pretty happy with that. That’s good.”
