Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Special Episode: Daniel Cormier TV – Tom Aspinall WARNS Ciryl Gane not to Engage, Jon Jones, Heavyweight Title
Release Date: October 25, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of The Herd, Daniel Cormier hosts heavyweight UFC champion Tom Aspinall ahead of his highly anticipated title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. The conversation delves deep into Aspinall's growth during his year-long layoff, his approach to the Gane fight, the heavyweights' current landscape, narratives in MMA media, and what the future may hold should Aspinall continue his dominant run.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Reflecting on the Interim Title and Growth Through Adversity
- Aspinall recounts his path to the interim title, fighting Sergey Pavlovich on short notice, and the unexpected gains during his year out of competition.
- “When you start off in this sport ... you envision yourself as being the champion of the world. ... For me, I wanted to be.” (Aspinall, 04:20)
- Despite the big moment, Aspinall clarifies, “It wasn't so much the interim title ... it was the fact that I wasn’t ready for that fight.” (Aspinall, 04:40)
- On his time off: “I've got a lot better in the year off ... I was in the gym, just improving, getting better, working on things.” (Aspinall, 05:44)
2. Title Defenses and Heavyweight Activity
- Discussion revolves around the ideal level of champion activity, referencing Merab Dvalishvili’s frequent defenses.
- “What's the maximum you fought in a year? ... Three’s perfect.” (Aspinall, 06:23, 06:33)
- Confirms three fights a year would be the sweet spot.
3. On Getting the Gane Fight and Assessing the Division
- Aspinall explains that Ciryl Gane was the only logical title defense, given the state of the division.
- “I didn't exactly get given a choice ... The only guy that they offered me was Gane, so obviously I take it.” (Aspinall, 07:11, 07:32)
4. Respect for Ciryl Gane and MMA Media Narratives
- Aspinall offers high praise for Gane, challenges the narrative that the fight is a mismatch, and critiques the simplistic punditry surrounding the match-up.
- “These media people are crazy ... people get a narrative and they just run with it.” (Aspinall, 08:17)
- “My fight IQ is really, really high and I don't think I get a lot of credit for it ... Sorgan's good.” (Aspinall, 08:17, 08:44)
- Aspinall and Cormier reflect on close contests and questionable judging:
- “Did you think he lost that fight?”
“I did ... but I’m not a judge, though.” (Aspinall, 08:49-08:54) - On recent MMA officiating: “Yo, they be messing up the decisions constantly.” (Host, 09:03)
- “Did you think he lost that fight?”
5. Responding to Critiques about Gane’s Loss to Jon Jones
- Both agree that Gane’s quick submission loss to Jones shouldn’t cloud broader judgment of his ability.
- “Listen man, Cyril’s really good ... Sometimes you show up and ... just don't have a good night ... that night in particular, he wasn't very good. Does that mean he's not very good overall? No.” (Aspinall, 10:10-10:32)
6. Aspinall’s Breakdown of Saturday’s Matchup & Tactical Warning
- Cormier asks if Gane will be more aggressive, with Aspinall cautioning Gane not to engage recklessly.
- “If he's more engaging from a technical standpoint, that evens the odds up a lot more on my part. So I wouldn’t. If I was him, I wouldn't force the engagement.” (Aspinall, 13:52)
7. Aspinall’s Belief and Awareness of His Power
- “You said if you hit somebody square in their face, they're gonna fall.”
“Yes.” (Host & Aspinall, 14:28-14:33)- Aspinall reflects on his knockouts: “Every time I knock somebody out, I just can't believe that I've knocked him out. ... I've hit him and I've been like, oh, like you're unconscious. I can't believe it.” (Aspinall, 14:56, 15:14)
8. Questions of Endurance—Can Aspinall Go 25 Minutes?
- Cormier and Aspinall discuss the unknown of Aspinall in a five-round fight, with Cormier suggesting other fighters might see this as a small window before Aspinall becomes even more formidable.
- “We don't know what 25 minutes with Tom Aspinall looks like. ... So it’s right now the time to be fighting Tom Aspinall, before you get that experience?” (Host, 15:36)
- Aspinall counters: “Everyone’s got this assumption that I train for two-minute fights. ... That is so far from the truth.” (Aspinall, 16:34)
9. Strategy and Pacing for the Championship Rounds
- Aspinall states that he purposely paces himself, always holding back for deeper rounds:
- “I never start, honestly, I promise you now, I never. I'm going full speed in my fights. Never.” (Aspinall, 17:49)
- “My Dad says ... just move around, just enjoy it. Just take your time. And that's what I do every single time.” (Aspinall, 17:57)
10. On Potential Stardom and the Future
- Cormier speculates about the impact if Aspinall continues to dominate:
- “Everybody wants the heavyweight champion to be like Mike Tyson was. And that's the type of air you would start to live in if you go through this fight in that way.” (Host, 18:50)
- Aspinall remains focused:
- “I never predict what’s going to happen after my fight. So we'll find out on Sunday.” (Aspinall, 19:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On his aspirations and vision:
“You envision yourself as being the champion of the world.”
— Tom Aspinall (04:20) -
On fighting Gane:
“I didn't exactly get given a choice ... The only guy that they offered me was Gane, so obviously I take it.”
— Tom Aspinall (07:11–07:32) -
On media narratives:
“These media people are crazy, aren't they? ... People get a narrative and they just run with it.”
— Tom Aspinall (08:17) -
On respecting Gane:
“Cyril's really, really good. And I've prepared for him accordingly.”
— Tom Aspinall (10:32) -
On power:
“If you hit somebody square in their face, they're gonna fall.”
— Host referencing Aspinall’s belief (14:28–14:31)
“Yes.”
— Tom Aspinall (14:33) -
On preparedness and pacing:
“I never start... I'm going full speed in my fights. Never.”
— Tom Aspinall (17:49) -
On focus and not looking ahead:
“I never predict what's going to happen after my fight.”
— Tom Aspinall (19:01) -
Playful banter about Cormier as a hypothetical opponent:
“I think you might have beat me up bad.”
— Tom Aspinall (20:20)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Aspinall’s attitude towards the championship: 04:20–04:35
- Growth during time off: 05:44–06:11
- Why the Gane fight makes sense: 07:11–07:32
- On Gane’s legitimate threat and MMA “narratives”: 08:17–08:44
- Judging and MMA officiating woes: 09:03–09:44
- Quick loss to Jon Jones and Gane’s reputation: 10:10–10:32
- Warning to Gane NOT to “force engagement”: 13:52–14:28
- Aspinall’s experience with knockouts and his self-awareness: 14:56–15:36
- Discussion of heavyweights and 25-minute fights: 15:36–16:26
- On pacing and patience in long fights: 17:49–18:17
- Speculating on stardom if Aspinall dominates: 18:48–19:10
- Joking about Cormier as an opponent: 20:09–20:22
Tone & Atmosphere
Throughout, the tone is candid, respectful, and filled with mutual admiration between two elite heavyweights. Aspinall is humble yet confident, countering outside narratives with calm logic and self-awareness. The banter is warm, especially around hypothetical matchups with Cormier, and the entire conversation is steeped in genuine enthusiasm for the intricacies of heavyweight MMA.
This summary offers a comprehensive look at the episode’s content, ensuring listeners and non-listeners alike can engage with the thoughtful analysis and personality on display.