Gane dismisses Aspinall's cheater claims ahead of Pereira interim title fight

Ciryl Gane has brushed aside Tom Aspinall’s accusations that he deliberately eye-poked his way through their October bout, telling reporters at UFC White House media day that the interim champion is entitled to his view — but that the referee’s silence on the night speaks for itself.

The October fight between Gane and Aspinall ended as a no-contest after a brutal eye poke left Aspinall unable to see, forcing a stoppage and sending the reigning interim champion into multiple surgeries. In the weeks that followed, Aspinall publicly labelled Gane a “cheater” and insisted the fouls were no accident.

Gane, however, is not losing sleep over it. “This is his opinion,” he said on Tuesday. “We have a beautiful, professional referee. The referee told me nothing because I respect the rules. It’s just an opinion. Everybody [has] an opinion. It’s OK.”

The 34-year-old admitted the no-contest left him with mixed emotions inside the cage. “Straight after the fight, it was a mix of feelings — a little bit frustrated, a little bit angry, a little bit sad,” he said. “Because thinking about all of the sacrifices I made. But after that, it was a good first round, injury free, healthy. The most important [thing] is that.”

With Aspinall still sidelined and a rematch on hold indefinitely, Gane has redirected his focus entirely towards Sunday’s co-main event, where he will challenge Alex Pereira for the interim UFC heavyweight title at the UFC White House card. A win would put Gane in the strongest possible position to demand that rematch once Aspinall is cleared to compete.

Gane said he hopes to face Aspinall again in the future, but for now the only fight that matters is Pereira.