UFC President Dana White has stated that interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane still has challenges ahead following Tom Aspinall’s decision to relinquish his title. Aspinall was forced to step away due to an eye injury sustained during his championship bout against Gane at UFC 321 last October. With Aspinall unable to compete, Gane secured the interim belt by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250. Although a rematch between Aspinall and Gane would have been the natural next step, Aspinall’s ongoing recovery led him to announce that he would vacate the championship.
Addressing the situation for the first time since Aspinall’s announcement, White emphasized that Gane is not automatically the undisputed champion and must still prove himself in the octagon. “Does it make (Gane) the undisputed champion? No. He’s still gotta fight,” White told Sportsnet. He also mentioned that a fight involving Gane will be scheduled soon, which is expected to determine the new undisputed heavyweight champion.
White added, “We’ll see how this whole thing plays out with Aspinall. Ciryl will fight, and we’ll see who becomes the champion. This isn’t the first time this has happened — Valentina Shevchenko’s situation is similar. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal, but it is what it is.”
Meanwhile, Pereira has sparked speculation about a possible immediate rematch with Gane after sharing a photo with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. Pereira has openly criticized the outcome of their last fight, alleging that Gane landed several strikes to the back of his head. According to the UFC’s official heavyweight rankings, Alexander Volkov is positioned at No. 2 behind Gane, followed by Sergei Pavlovich at No. 3, with Josh Hokit at No. 4 also considered a strong contender to face Gane next.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans because it shakes up the heavyweight division by leaving the championship picture unsettled. The upcoming bouts involving Ciryl Gane could redefine the hierarchy of one of UFC’s most exciting divisions, potentially setting the stage for fresh rivalries and memorable battles.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
