Tom Aspinall ready to return, Ciryl Gane fight being discussed — Eddie Hearn

Tom Aspinall's manager Eddie Hearn has confirmed the UFC interim heavyweight champion is fully cleared and ready to return to action, with a potential bout against France's Ciryl Gane now under serious discussion.

Aspinall, 33, carries a 15-3 record and holds the interim UFC heavyweight title, currently ranked sixth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Manchester-born fighter out of Team Kaobon stands six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach and has developed a reputation as one of the most technically dangerous heavyweights in the sport. His numbers reflect that — he lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 67 percent, while also threatening with 2.62 takedown attempts per 15 minutes and 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Gane, known as "Bon Gamin," enters as the division's second-ranked contender with a 14-2 record. The 36-year-old Frenchman from MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an unusually long 81-inch reach — three inches longer than Aspinall's — and brings polished kickboxing to the table, landing 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy. His grappling output is more limited, averaging 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Hearn indicated that conversations over a date and financial terms are expected to take place in the near future, though nothing has been formally confirmed.

Why it matters

• Aspinall has been sidelined and is eager to make his next title defense; clearing him medically removes a key barrier.
• A win over the second-ranked Gane would significantly strengthen Aspinall's position ahead of any unification bout.
• The stylistic contrast is sharp — Aspinall's high-volume striking and active submission game against Gane's reach advantage and technical stand-up creates a compelling heavyweight matchup.
• Gane would be entering as the clear number-one contender, meaning divisional hierarchy at heavyweight is directly on the line.