Gane's Coach Sought Help from Aspinall's Training Partner Before UFC Title Bout
In a surprising revelation, Ciryl Gane's coaching team attempted to recruit Tom Aspinall's primary training partner, Phil De Fries, ahead of Gane's heavyweight title fight against the Briton last October. The bout, which took place in Abu Dhabi, ended prematurely as a no-contest after Gane landed multiple eye pokes on Aspinall, leading to significant injury for the champion.
De Fries Details Awkward Recruitment Approach
Phil De Fries, the reigning KSW heavyweight champion, disclosed that Gane's coach directly messaged him requesting assistance in preparing for the Aspinall fight. "Ciryl Gane's coach messaged me and said: 'Can you help me get ready for Tom?'" De Fries told TalkSport. "I was like: 'I train with Tom every day, mate!'"
De Fries explained his loyalty to Team Aspinall and his routine of wrestling with Aspinall during training camps. He noted that when facing a high-calibre striker like Gane, fighters typically seek diverse sparring partners to simulate the opponent's style. However, the approach backfired when the coach realized De Fries's close association with Aspinall.
"I told him I train with Team Aspinall all the time. He went: 'Oh, s***.' We had a little joke, and the coach seemed like a nice fella," De Fries recounted. He added that while he receives many such requests, he is now selective, requiring substantial financial incentive and familiarity before committing to training camps away from home.
Aftermath of the Controversial Fight
The eye-poke incident during UFC 321 had severe consequences for Tom Aspinall, who underwent double eye surgery and only recently resumed training. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane is scheduled to face Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight belt at the White House in June. A potential rematch between Gane and Aspinall remains a compelling prospect, though De Fries indicated Gane's team is unlikely to approach him again for assistance.
Gane's Preparation for Pereira and Historical Context
In his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira, a former middleweight and two-time light-heavyweight champion, Gane has been training with Artem Vakhitov. Vakhitov previously defeated Pereira in Glory kickboxing before Pereira transitioned to the UFC, avenging an earlier decision loss.
If Pereira defeats Gane, he will achieve the historic feat of becoming the first three-weight champion in UFC history, albeit with an interim title in the heavyweight division. Conversely, a victory for Gane would make him a two-time UFC interim heavyweight champion. The French fighter, aged 36, previously held the interim title in 2021 but failed to unify the belts against Francis Ngannou in 2022. He also lost an undisputed title fight in 2023, submitted quickly by Jon Jones.
The incident highlights the intricate and sometimes awkward dynamics within combat sports, where training alliances and opponent preparation can lead to unexpected conflicts of interest. As both fighters navigate their respective recoveries and upcoming bouts, the community watches closely for developments in this ongoing narrative.
