UFC president Dana White recently shared an important update regarding Ciryl Gane, the interim UFC heavyweight champion. Following Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the UFC heavyweight title, many expected that Gane would automatically be elevated to undisputed champion, as has often happened in the past when the reigning champion relinquishes the belt while there’s an interim titleholder.
However, this time the situation is different.
White told Sportsnet’s Diana Belbita that Gane will not be granted the undisputed championship without a fight. Instead, he will need to face another contender to claim the undisputed heavyweight title.
“Does it make him the undisputed champion? No, he’s still gotta fight,” White stated, confirming that Gane would compete “soon.” He added, “We’ll see how this whole thing plays out with Aspinall, and Ciryl will fight, and we’ll see who becomes the champion. This isn’t the first time this has happened. It’s happening right now with Valentina Shevchenko. This is nothing new. It happens sometimes. It’s unfortunate, not the best outcome, but it is what it is.”
When questioned about Aspinall’s return timeline, White said there is no set date yet but assured that the UFC is prepared for Aspinall to come back whenever his eye injuries have fully healed.
“I don’t have a timetable for Aspinall’s return. Obviously, whenever he feels healthy again, whenever his eyes are healed again, then we’re ready for him,” White explained.
While hopes remain that Aspinall will return to the Octagon by 2027, the UFC heavyweight division will continue moving forward in his absence. Although Gane’s next opponent hasn’t been officially announced, talks have circulated about a potential rematch against Alex Pereira, whom Gane previously defeated at UFC Freedom 250 to win the interim title.
Other possible contenders include Josh Hokit, who has been hinting at significant news, as well as Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, although Volkov currently has a fight scheduled.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for fight fans because it maintains the competitive integrity of the heavyweight division, ensuring the undisputed title is earned decisively. It also sets the stage for potentially thrilling matchups that could elevate the sport’s excitement and showcase the rising talent in the heavyweight ranks.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
