Tom Aspinall revealed that his eye injury is healing and he expects to receive medical clearance soon to return to full contact training. Aspinall stated that the UFC has informed him his next fight will be against the winner of Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. He explained that those two need to fight first, then recover from their bout, and once everyone is ready and healthy, they will schedule his fight. The timeline suggests Aspinall is willing to wait for the right opponent rather than take an interim bout.
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed that an eye injury is on the mend and that he expects to receive medical clearance to return to full contact training in the near future, with the UFC already mapping out his next title defense against the winner of Alex Pereira versus Ciryl Gane.
Aspinall, 33, holds a 15-3 record and currently sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five Englishman out of Team Kaobon is one of the most explosive heavyweights in the sport, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 67 percent while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. He explained that the UFC has been straightforward with him about the situation: Pereira and Gane must fight first, both men need time to recover, and only then will his bout be scheduled.
Pereira, 38, is the reigning light heavyweight champion moving up to challenge at heavyweight. The Brazilian carries a 13-4 record and brings serious knockout power to the division, landing at 62 percent striking accuracy out of the Teixeira MMA and Fitness camp. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, "Poatan" has become one of the most feared strikers in the sport across two weight classes.
Gane, nicknamed "Bon Gamin," represents a contrasting style. The 36-year-old Frenchman from MMA Factory is ranked second in the heavyweight division with a 14-2 record. At six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach — the longest of the three men — he blends movement and technical striking, landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Aspinall's patience signals confidence; he is passing on a potential interim or interim-defense route to wait for a unified title fight.
- The Pereira-Gane winner earns an immediate shot at Aspinall, reshaping the entire top of the heavyweight division.
- A striking-heavy matchup awaits regardless of which man wins, given all three fighters are orthodox and none rely heavily on the grappling game.
