Tom Aspinall discloses Ciryl Gane turned down UFC 304 interim title fight

Heavyweight Tom Aspinall will be defending his interim title in the UFC 304 co-main event on July 27 in Manchester, England in a rematch against fourth-ranked Curtis Blaydes.  But, Blaydes wasn’t the first choice.  

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Aspinall revealed that former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane was offered the UFC 304 title fight but turned it down.  

“The UFC wanted me to fight Ciryl Gane, I said, ‘Okay, the UFC wants to do it, we can do it.’ I’m not bothered.  I feel like I’m the champion of the world.  I’m ranked No. 1 in the world.  I’ll fight anybody.  You don’t have to talk me into anything. The UFC are my bosses, they want me to fight Ciryl Gane, count me in.  That’s okay, we’ll do it,” Aspinall said

“Ciryl, on the other hand, he’s out there doing a film.  Ciryl is trying to be the French Arnold Schwarzenegger right now, and fair play to him.  If he wants to do films and be an actor, go and enjoy yourself Ciryl.  Go and do your thing, make some money, do whatever you doing. But, he didn’t take the fight.  He wanted to do his film, so Curtis Blaydes, they’ve thrown him in, very happy with it.  I’m happy to fight anybody.”

UFC 304 takes place at Co-op Live in Apinall’s hometown of Manchester.  It will be the fight promotion’s fifth visit to Manchester and the first since UFC 204 in October 2016.