Tom Aspinall expects Ciryl Gane to retain his heavyweight title at UFC 334.

The Englishman has been sidelined since his UFC 321 clash with Gane ended in a no-contest due to eye pokes in October 2025.

Tom Aspinall has undergone several eye surgeries to repair the damage, but it remains unclear when he will return to MMA.

The 33-year-old recently vacated his heavyweight belt, allowing Ciryl Gane to be promoted from interim titleholder to undisputed champion ahead of his fight with Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Saturday night.

Do you think the UFC are prepared for the potential of Josh Hokit becoming a champion?

Tom Aspinall predicts late stoppage at UFC 334

Tom Aspinall has largely remained silent in the lead-up to Ciryl Gane’s first heavyweight title defense.

However, the former champion shared his thoughts on the UFC 334 main event on Friday.

“I think Gane’s going to win,” Aspinall told Cloudbet.

“I think that ultimately Hokit’s going to tire, and Gane is going to keep him at the end of his punches and kicks.

“I can see a way that Hokit can win by just making it ugly and roughing him up a little bit, but I don’t think it’s likely.

“I would say Ciryl Gane would do a late stoppage by strikes, fourth or fifth round, in my opinion.”

Josh Hokit open to fighting Tom Aspinall after UFC 334

Josh Hokit has enjoyed a rapid rise through the heavyweight division since making his UFC debut in November 2025.

The undefeated American has won four consecutive fights in the promotion, including victories over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis, to earn his first UFC title shot.

Hokit has expressed interest in facing Aspinall if he improves to 11-0 at UFC 334 this weekend.

However, the 29-year-old has questioned whether Aspinall will return to MMA after recently joining forces with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

“When I’m champion, anybody can get a fight,” Hokit said at Wednesday’s media day.

“We’ll see if Aspinall comes back, and we’ll see. I don’t think he wants to come back.

“You signed with Eddie Hearn, Dana’s arch-nemesis. To me, that’s like you’re just trying to get to the money, get a money fight in boxing.”