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

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is cleared and ready to compete, with his manager Eddie Hearn confirming that a fight against Ciryl Gane is the target. Hearn has already reached out to the UFC to inform them Aspinall is medically cleared, and discussions over a date and fight purse are expected to begin soon.

Aspinall, 33, carries a 15-3 record into his next appearance and holds both the UFC heavyweight title and the number-six spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. The six-foot-five Englishman out of Team Kaobon is one of the most productive strikers in the division, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 67 percent accuracy. He also adds consistent pressure on the ground, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.3 submission attempts in the same span.

Standing across from him would be Frenchman Ciryl Gane, known as Bon Gamin, who trains out of MMA Factory and enters with a 14-2 record. Ranked second in the heavyweight division at 36 years old, Gane brings a six-foot-four frame and an 81-inch reach — the longest of the two men — giving him a notable reach advantage over Aspinall's 78-inch wingspan. Gane lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at 61 percent accuracy, making him a composed and technical striker in his own right.

Why it matters

• Aspinall defending the heavyweight title against the division's second-ranked contender would represent a high-stakes championship fight.
• A Gane victory would make him a two-time heavyweight title challenger and keep his place at the top of a competitive division.
• The stylistic matchup pits Aspinall's aggressive, high-volume striking and active grappling against Gane's longer, technical stand-up game.
• The reach advantage of three inches in Gane's favor adds an additional layer to what would be a technically compelling heavyweight contest.