TLDR
- Tom Aspinall is recovering from double eye surgery after an October 2025 eye poke ended his fight with Ciryl Gane in a no-contest
- Gane will face Alex Pereira for an interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 while Aspinall recovers
- Aspinall said he understands the booking and wants to fight the winner once doctors clear him for training
- The champion recently signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, though he insists it won’t affect his UFC return
- Aspinall is waiting for medical clearance to resume full contact training before scheduling his title unification fight
Sources: mmafighting.com | ufc.com
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall said he understands why the promotion booked an interim title fight while he recovers from eye surgery. Aspinall remains sidelined after undergoing double eye surgery to repair damage from an eye poke he suffered during his fight against Ciryl Gane in October 2025.
The fight between Aspinall and Gane ended in a no-contest in the first round due to the eye poke. The UFC has now scheduled Gane to face Alex Pereira for an interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House.
Aspinall Says Division Lacks Options
When asked about the interim title fight, Aspinall downplayed any concerns about being sidelined. “I mean who else is going to fight though?” Aspinall said on YouTube. “Division’s on its ass. There’s not really many big fights to make is there?”
Aspinall confirmed he had no chance of competing by June 14 due to his recovery timeline. He said he is waiting for doctors to clear him for full contact training before booking his return fight.
Tom Aspinall realizes his absence from cageside at the White House card amid the interim heavyweight title bout ‼️👀
“UFC didn’t ask me. No one has asked me yet. I’ve never felt disrespected until you asked me. They should come to me. I’ll be there if they ask me.”
(via… pic.twitter.com/HdHQzBlyVA
— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) June 3, 2026
“Just took in the information, Ciryl Gane/Alex Pereira, obviously I want to fight the winner of that,” Aspinall said. “So just waiting now to be given the green light, the all clear from the doctor to start training properly again.”
The champion said once he receives medical clearance, he will notify the UFC and schedule a title unification bout. He plans to face whoever wins the interim belt, whether it’s Gane or Pereira.
New Management Deal Raises Questions
Last week, Aspinall signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, making him the first fighter on the agency’s roster. Hearn is best known as a boxing promoter and has been in a public dispute with UFC CEO Dana White after White launched Zuffa Boxing in January 2026.
Some observers viewed Aspinall’s signing with Hearn as a shot at the UFC. However, Aspinall said his decision was about maximizing his career opportunities before retirement.
White downplayed the signing, saying it would not cause problems for Aspinall’s return to the UFC. Aspinall expressed confidence that he will work with the UFC to schedule his return fight once cleared.
The UFC Freedom 250 card will also feature a heavyweight bout between undefeated prospect Josh Hokit and veteran Derrick Lewis. Both Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich are positioned as top contenders at numbers two and three in the rankings respectively.
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11 against Elisha Ellison. The 26-year-old wrestler has been promoted as a future heavyweight contender.
Aspinall said as soon as doctors clear him for full contact sparring, he will inform the UFC and book a fight date. He repeated that he wants to face the winner of the Pereira-Gane bout as quickly as possible after receiving medical clearance.
