Tom Aspinall says UFC told him he'll fight Pereira-Gan winner next

Tom Aspinall has revealed that the UFC has told him his next fight will be against whoever wins the upcoming bout between Alex Pereira and Cyril Gane, with the interim heavyweight champion also confirming his eye injury is healing and that he is closing in on medical clearance to return to full contact training.

Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3 record and currently wears the interim UFC heavyweight title. The six-foot-five Englishman trains out of Team Kaobon and ranks sixth in the pound-for-pound standings. His striking output is among the most prolific in the division, with 7.63 significant strikes landed per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, while he also averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat across all phases of a fight.

Pereira, 38, is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion competing out of Brazil under the Teixeira MMA and Fitness banner. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, he carries a 13-4 record and has built his reputation as a ferocious knockout striker, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. His matchup with Cyril Gane, once it takes place, represents a crossroads moment for the heavyweight division, with the winner then set to face Aspinall.

Aspinall stated that Pereira and Gane must fight first, both sides must recover from that contest, and only then will his own bout be scheduled.

Why it matters

• A win for either Pereira or Gane sets up a blockbuster heavyweight unification clash against Aspinall
• Aspinall's return timeline remains tied directly to his medical clearance, adding uncertainty to the schedule
• Pereira moving up to heavyweight would pit two of the sport's most dangerous strikers against each other, while Gane brings elite technical kickboxing and wrestling resistance to the equation