UFC president Dana White has claimed that Tom Aspinall would have fought Alex Pereira at the White House this weekend, had the Briton been healthy. The unique fight card on Sunday features Pereira against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, but White told TNT Sports that Aspinall would have been the opponent if not for his recovery from double eye surgery.
Aspinall, the official heavyweight champion, suffered multiple eye pokes from Gane in their October bout, which was ruled a no-contest. The 33-year-old has since undergone surgery and is still recovering. White said: 'Oh, 100 per cent. That would’ve been the fight, if he was... A lot of our champions are hurt right now, so it’s kind of a funky situation.'
Instead, Gane will face Pereira, with the winner expected to meet Aspinall next. Pereira, 38, could become the first three-weight champion in UFC history if he wins, while Gane aims to become a two-time interim heavyweight champion. Gane previously held the interim belt in 2021 but has failed to win the undisputed title three times.
Aspinall recently told Fight Your Corner that he wants revenge against Gane but acknowledged that a fight with Pereira would be bigger. He also said he has not been invited to the White House but would attend if asked. 'I’d be there, I’d be there; if they asked me, I’d be there for sure,' he said.
