Aspinall Hits Out At Gane & Responds To Call-Out

By FIGHTSPORTS Jun 16, 2026 Last updated Jun 16, 2026

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC) has doubled down on his “cheater” label for Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) after watching the Frenchman stop Alex Pereira (13-4) in the UFC White House last weekend — a result that sets up their heavyweight title rematch.

Aspinall, still sidelined as he recovers from the eye injury suffered in their UFC 321 no-contest last October after Gane’s accidental eye pokes, watched the performance and wasted no time raising objections. He accused Gane of using illegal tactics through his elbows and punches.

“It looked like there was a lot of illegal elbows going on, illegal punches, but generally, he looked good,” Aspinall

Aspinall responded to Gane’s September 5 call-out, suggesting he’d be up for the fight in Gane’s home of Paris, however that is a UFC Fight Night event so the UFC may reserve the heavyweight championship fight for a numbered event. Nevertheless, Aspinall was clear on the rematch.

“Paris in September, right? I’ll do that. Yeah, I’ll do that. Let me know. I don’t mind. I’ll go to Paris. Let me know,” Aspinall