Not so fast! Dana White confirms Ciryl Gane will not be promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion following Tom Aspinall fallout

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane will not be promoted to undisputed champion. This decision follows Tom Aspinall vacating his undisputed UFC heavyweight title due to a devastating new eye injury. Historically, interim champions are elevated when the undisputed title is vacated, but White stated that Gane must fight to earn the undisputed belt.

Gane recently won the interim title via a controversial TKO victory over Alex Pereira at the UFC's White House event. White indicated that Gane will fight again "very soon," depending on how the situation with Aspinall plays out. Aspinall's initial eye injury occurred during a fight against Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025.