UFC heavyweight world champion Tom Aspinall has delivered his verdict on the upcoming interim title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, while firmly setting his sights on facing the winner. The British fighter is currently sidelined after undergoing double eye surgery, following his ill-fated first title defence against Gane last October.
Aspinall's Recovery and UFC's Interim Title Move
With Aspinall yet to set a return date to the cage, the UFC has booked Gane versus Pereira for the interim heavyweight crown on June 14. This bout will support the White House main event, where Ilia Topuria defends his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. Aspinall welcomed the UFC's decision, acknowledging the division's need for high-profile matches.
"The Division's on Its Ass"
In a candid statement, Aspinall remarked, "I mean, who else is going to fight? The division's on its ass. There's not many big fights to make, is there? So they've got to do what they've got to do. Obviously, I want to fight the winner of that." He emphasised his eagerness to return, stating he is awaiting medical clearance to resume full training and book a fight date as soon as possible.
UFC CEO Dana White's Perspective
UFC CEO Dana White highlighted the uniqueness of the Pereira vs Gane matchup, noting Pereira's opportunity to become a three-way champion. White described the card as challenging to assemble, with matchmakers working overnight to finalise details. Regarding Aspinall's future, White was non-committal, suggesting that if Pereira wins, a fight with Aspinall could be next.
Aspinall's Road to Recovery
Aspinall detailed his current status, saying, "I'm just waiting now to get the green light, the all clear from the doctor to start training properly again. As soon as we can start training properly again, full contact in the gym, we will be getting a fight date booked to fight the winner. Just waiting for the clearance to be medically cleared, and then we go. As soon as the doctor clears me, we'll let the UFC know and we'll be looking to book a fight soon as possible."
The June 14 event in Washington, D.C., promises to be explosive, with Aspinall poised to challenge the interim champion upon his return, shaping the future of the UFC heavyweight division.
