Dana White rules out elevating Gane to undisputed champion after Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title

Ciryl Gane will not become the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion without stepping back into the octagon, despite Tom Aspinall vacating the title on Monday after reinjuring his eyes in training. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the decision, stating plainly: “He’s still got to fight.”

Aspinall’s withdrawal leaves the heavyweight division in a state of flux. The British champion was forced out of action indefinitely after the eye injury recurred during training camp — an injury first sustained when Gane accidentally poked him during their title fight at UFC 321. Many had anticipated that Gane, who holds the interim heavyweight belt, would be elevated to undisputed champion as a result, but White quickly shut down that expectation.

“Does it make him the undisputed champion?” White said when asked directly about Gane’s status. “No. He’s still got to fight.”

White added that the fight to crown a new undisputed heavyweight champion would be announced “very soon,” though he offered no specific opponent or date. Aspinall could theoretically face the winner of that bout upon his return, but White acknowledged he has no timeline on the former champion’s recovery.

“Obviously, whenever he feels healthy again, whenever his eyes are healed, then we’re ready for him,” White said.

Gane claimed the interim title with a TKO victory over Alex Pereira at UFC White House earlier this summer. A unification bout between Gane and Aspinall had been widely expected before Aspinall’s latest setback derailed those plans.

White acknowledged the situation has left the promotion without a clear roadmap at heavyweight, but drew parallels to similar circumstances elsewhere in the UFC, including the ongoing situation with Valentina Shevchenko.

“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out with Aspinall,” White said. “Ciryl will fight, and we’ll see who becomes the champion. This isn’t like this is the first time this has ever happened. This happens sometimes, and it’s unfortunate. Not the best outcome, but it is what it is.”