Tom Aspinall has revealed that his eye injury is healing and he will soon be cleared to return to full contact training. Aspinall stated that the UFC has notified him that his next fight will be against the winner of the upcoming bout between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. He emphasized that Pereira and Gane must fight each other first, recover from their bout, and then once everyone is ready, he will face the winner. The timeline depends on the Pereira-Gane matchup being finalized and completed.
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has confirmed that an eye injury is on the mend, with a return to full contact training expected shortly. Aspinall also disclosed that the UFC has already lined up his next title defense: a date with whoever emerges victorious from a heavyweight clash between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.
Aspinall, 33, carries a 15-3 record into the wait. The six-foot-five Englishman trains out of Team Kaobon and ranks sixth in the pound-for-pound standings, defending the heavyweight throne with some of the most prolific striking output in the division. He lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 67 percent accuracy, and supplements that with 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat across all phases.
Standing across from him eventually will be either Pereira or Gane. Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion at 13-4, would be moving up to challenge for a second belt simultaneously. The 38-year-old Brazilian out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and lands at 62 percent striking accuracy. Gane, ranked second in the heavyweight division at 14-2, is the more established presence at 265 pounds. The 36-year-old Frenchman from MMA Factory boasts an 81-inch reach — the longest of the three men involved — and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy.
Aspinall was clear that the sequencing matters. Pereira and Gane must fight, recover, and only then will a title unification or defense be finalized.
Why it matters
- Aspinall's title reign remains on hold, with his return contingent on a separate heavyweight bout being booked and completed first.
- A Pereira victory would set up a rare simultaneous two-division champion challenging for a second belt in a title fight.
- The striking styles of all three fighters make for a potential high-octane matchup regardless of who advances.
- Gane's 81-inch reach advantage over both opponents could be a defining physical factor in the interim bout.
