UFC President Dana White confirms Ciryl Gane will not be promoted to Undisputed Champion after Tom Aspinall vacates
(Courtesy : UFC)
Ciryl Gane must fight for the vacant heavyweight title
Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane will not automatically become the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion following Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the title, after suffering further damage to his eye.
Gane is the current interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, he won the title by defeating Alex Pereira via second-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250 in June.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Friday that Gane, who currently holds the interim championship, will instead have to fight for the vacant undisputed belt in his next UFC appearance.
“Does it make him the undisputed champion? No, he’s still got to fight,” White told Sportsnet when asked about Gane’s status.
White added that Gane will fight “soon, very soon,” but did not reveal an opponent or date for the Frenchman’s next bout.
“We’ll see how this whole things plays out with Aspinall, and Ciryl will fight, and we’ll see who becomes the champion,” White said.
The decision comes after Aspinall announced Monday that he was relinquishing the heavyweight title because of ongoing complications from the eye injuries suffered against Gane in October 2025.
Tom Aspinall’s return remains uncertain
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Aspinall’s fight with Gane ended in a no-contest after Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes midway through the opening round, leaving him unable to continue.
Aspinall later suffered another setback to his right eye while preparing for a November 14 rematch with Gane at UFC 334. Sources told Uncrowned that the injury had returned to being “the same as day one.”
White said he does not know when Aspinall will return, adding that the former champion will be welcomed back once his eyes have healed.
“I don’t [know when he’s going to be back],” White said. “Obviously whenever he feels healthy again, whenever his eyes are healed, then we’re ready for him.”
“This is nothing new. This happens sometimes. It’s unfortunate. Not the best outcome, but it is what it is.”
Gane won the interim title in June by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250. Pereira, Josh Hokit and Alexander Volkov have since emerged as potential contenders for the vacant undisputed championship.
Will Ciryl Gane become undisputed champion automatically?
No, Dana White confirmed that Gane must fight for the vacant title.
Why did Tom Aspinall vacate the UFC heavyweight title?
Aspinall vacated the belt because of ongoing complications from his eye injury.
When will Ciryl Gane fight next?
White said Gane will fight “soon, very soon,” but did not announce an opponent or date.
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