The UFC heavyweight rematch the division has been waiting for is on. Tom Aspinall has made it crystal clear — he is heading to Paris in September to settle unfinished business with Ciryl Gane. No hesitation, no negotiation. Just a champion ready to fight.
UFC Heavyweight Rematch Confirmed as Aspinall Says ‘I’ll Be There’
Gane (14-2) earned the right to make that call on Sunday night — Monday morning in Britain — when he dismantled Alex Pereira in the co-main event at UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House. It was a UFC statement win in every sense. Gane dropped Pereira with a sharp right jab before closing the show with a brutal three-punch combination to claim the interim heavyweight title via Round 2 stoppage. Dominant. Clinical. Vintage Gane.
Calling out his next move immediately after the victory, Gane kept it simple: “Next, everybody [knows] already. Let’s do that in Paris in September.” The crowd knew. The division knew. And Aspinall certainly knew.
Reacting on his YouTube channel, the British champion did not need long to think it over. “Paris in September, aye? I’ll do that. I’ll do that. Let me know. I don’t mind. I don’t mind. I’ll go to Paris. Let me know. I’ll be there,” Aspinall said. He also confirmed he has returned to training — an important detail given the year he has endured.
Eye Surgery and Unfinished Business Drive Aspinall’s Return
This rematch carries real emotional weight. The pair first met last October, but the contest never truly got going. Aspinall received multiple eye pokes in the opening round, forcing the fight to be stopped. He has not competed since, undergoing surgery on both eyes in the aftermath. That is not the way any champion wants to sit out — and it has clearly been eating at him.
Furthermore, UFC president Dana White confirmed last week that Aspinall would have been on the White House card himself, “100%”, had he been fit. Instead, he watched from the commentary position as Gane went to work. Watching on, Aspinall gave Gane credit whilst also noting what he felt were multiple illegal elbows and punches during the contest. “He looked good. He looked good. I have to watch that again, it looked like there was a lot of illegal elbows going on… and illegal punches. But generally he looked good,” he said.
As things stand, the path is straightforward — if Aspinall gets the medical clearance to compete, Paris in September is the fight to make. Two of the best heavyweights on the planet, one unresolved score. The city of lights is about to get very dark for one of them.