Ciryl Gane: ‘Unfinished business’ needs to be settled with Tom Aspinall after UFC White House knockout over Alex Pereira

Ciryl Gane reclaimed interim heavyweight gold at UFC White House, dismantling Alex Pereira with a knockout in less than ninety seconds and preventing the Brazilian from becoming the UFC's first three-division champion. The victory sets the stage for what Gane views as the fight that never was: a rematch with undisputed heavyweight titlist Tom Aspinall.

Gane and Aspinall's first meeting at UFC 321 in October 2025 ended in controversy when an accidental eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue, resulting in a no-contest ruling. The interim belt was created during Aspinall's recovery from the resulting eye injuries. Despite the unsatisfying finish, Gane was dominant early, neutralizing Aspinall's wrestling and striking with superior grappling exchanges. Against Pereira on Sunday, Gane's physical tools—strength, agility, and movement—proved too much for the power-punching Pereira to overcome.

When comparing his two most recent opponents, Gane noted that Pereira is a knockout artist capable of landing at any moment, while Aspinall is a more complete, well-rounded fighter. "We have unfinished business," Gane stated at the post-fight press conference, declining to directly address Aspinall but making his intent unmistakable. The Frenchman expressed a preference for fighting Aspinall in Paris on September 5, when the UFC is scheduled to hold an event in his home country.

UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged the interim-undisputed title unification as inevitable but stressed no immediate timeline. "Ciryl looked great tonight," White said, praising Gane's technical dominance and movement. With Aspinall sidelined and Gane now holding the interim belt, a blockbuster heavyweight clash appears on the horizon—provided Aspinall's eye recovers sufficiently for competition.