UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed he is prepared to face interim champion Ciryl Gane in an undisputed heavyweight title bout in Paris this September.
The British fighter is currently recovering from an eye injury but remains confident he will be fit in time for a potential championship clash in France. Aspinall made the comments after watching Gane defeat Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 to claim the interim heavyweight title.
Aspinall welcomes Paris title fight
Although Gane did not directly call out Aspinall following his victory, the Frenchman has previously expressed interest in a rematch with the reigning champion.
Aspinall responded positively to the possibility of fighting in front of Gane’s home crowd.
“Paris in September? I’ll do that. I’ll go to Paris. Let me know. I’ll be there,” Aspinall said.
The pair previously met at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi last October, but the contest was declared a no contest after repeated eye pokes from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue.
Recovery progressing after surgery
The 33-year-old underwent surgery in February after sustaining damage to both eyes. However, he confirmed in May that he had resumed non-contact training and continues to make steady progress in his recovery.
The injury setback temporarily halted Aspinall’s momentum, but the heavyweight champion appears determined to return for one of the division’s biggest possible matchups.
Aspinall questions Gane’s finishing sequence
Aspinall also raised concerns over the finish of Gane’s victory against Pereira.
The Frenchman knocked Pereira down with a left hand before securing a second-round stoppage. However, Aspinall suggested several elbows landed to the back of Pereira’s head, which is prohibited under MMA rules.
“[The elbows] look a bit illegal. They look very illegal. What is going on?” Aspinall said while reviewing the fight.
Despite his criticism, the Briton acknowledged Gane’s overall performance and indicated he would review the footage again before making a final judgment.
Heavyweight clash could headline Paris event
A potential title unification fight between Aspinall and Gane would be one of the biggest heavyweight bouts of the year. The rivalry already carries added tension following their controversial first encounter, with Aspinall previously accusing Gane of foul play after the eye-poke incident.
If the UFC confirms the matchup, Paris could host a blockbuster heavyweight championship showdown with both titles on the line.
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