Tom Aspinall revealed that his eye injury is healing and he will soon receive clearance to return to full contact training. The UFC has notified him that his next fight will be against the winner of the upcoming Pereira versus Gane bout. Aspinall stated that he is waiting for those two to fight first, then recover, and once everyone is ready the fight can be scheduled. The interview was posted on Aspinall's YouTube channel.
Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed that the UFC has told him his next title defense will come against whoever wins the upcoming bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, with the Englishman also confirming his eye injury is on track to heal.
Aspinall made the disclosure in a video posted to his own YouTube channel, explaining that he is waiting for Pereira and Gane to settle things between themselves, recover, and then get everyone ready before a date is set. He added that he expects to receive medical clearance for full contact training soon.
Aspinall, 33, carries a 15-3 record and holds the UFC Heavyweight title while sitting sixth on the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five orthodox striker out of Team Kaobon in England is one of the most efficient heavyweights in the promotion's history, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 67 percent, and averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Standing across from him in that eventual title fight will be either Pereira or Gane. Pereira, 38, is the reigning Light Heavyweight champion from Brazil with a 13-4 record, and would be moving up in weight to challenge for a second divisional title. The six-foot-four knockout artist lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. Gane, nicknamed Bon Gamin, is 36 years old and ranked second in the heavyweight division with a 14-2 record. The Frenchman out of MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Aspinall's title has been inactive; this announcement signals a clear path to his first defense.
- Pereira moving to heavyweight would mark a rare two-division simultaneous championship bid.
- Gane is a former interim heavyweight champion and has unfinished business at the top of the division.
