Tom Aspinall insists he is ready to step back inside the Octagon.

Aspinall has had his gripes with the UFC brass, but perhaps things have simmered down. The reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion recently posted a video on his YouTube page where he reacted to Conor McGregor's knee injury during the UFC 329 show closer. In the video, Aspinall revealed that he's simply waiting on a date for his next fight.

“Listen, we've let the UFC know that we're ready to go, and we're just waiting for dates,†Aspinall said. “Literally, we told them we can do it in Paris. We told them they can do it wherever they want. So, we're just waiting for them to let us know.â€

If Aspinall is indeed ready to sign on for his return to the Octagon, he would have a title unification rematch against Ciryl Gane waiting for him. It was the first meeting with “Bon Gamin†that led to Aspinall getting sidelined due to a double eye poke. The bout result was ruled a no contest, and Aspinall had to undergo multiple eye procedures to correct his vision problems.

In the meantime, Aspinall has signed a talent agency deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom. Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White have been at odds over Zuffa's entry in the boxing world. Aspinall inked the deal after publicly criticizing White for his comments after his eye injury. The heavyweight titleholder believes that he was made to look like he had a choice whether or not to continue fighting Gane.

Hearn also made the claim that he won't allow Aspinall to fight under the terms of his current UFC contract. The war of words have continued to heat up, but White recently told reporters during the UFC 329 post-fight presser that he doesn't hate Hearn.

Gane earned his rematch with the Salford native after he stopped Alex Pereira in the second round of their UFC Freedom 250 co-main event on the White House lawn. Gane earned his second interim UFC heavyweight title as a result.

Are we finally on the verge of seeing Tom Aspinall return, or do you think there will be another roadblock? Sound off in the comments below.