Ciryl Gane reflects on ‘frustration’ of Tom Aspinall eye poke and admits nothing will change for Alex Pereira

May 15, 2026 - 21:00

Ciryl Gane doesn’t plan to change his style against Alex Pereira after what happened in his last fight.

The Frenchman fought heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to a no-contest last October and is now gearing up to battle for the division’s interim strap at UFC White House.

France's Ciryl Gane (R) fights Britain's Tom Aspinall during their UFC heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 26, 2025 — Aspinall has called Gane a ‘cheater’ in the months after their dramatic main event in Abu Dhabi

Gane got off to an excellent start against Aspinall, but the UFC 321 main event was ended prematurely when the former landed a nasty double eye poke in the first round.

Briton Aspinall could no longer see out of one eye, meaning the bout was waved off.

Despite the brutal recovery period Aspinall has endured since the anticlimactic ending, Gane has no plans to change his approach for Pereira.

Speaking to New York Post Sports, Gane was asked whether he has been working on keeping his fingers closed following the repercussions Aspinall has faced.

Gane laughs off eye poke drama

“No, unfortunately, this happens at every event,” Gane responded with a laugh.

“This is not something special. So, unfortunately, I land my middle kick, and when you land that kick, you also land with the hand.

“And he came forward to me, and the first thing that came to me was his face, so I tried to push his face.

“My fingers just swiped him on his eyes. This is MMA.”

Gane continued: “I was frustrated in the moment.

“After that, I’m alive, no injuries, I can continue to train myself and do my job…

Opponents Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane face off during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey — The winner of Pereira vs Gane is almost certain to face Aspinall for undisputed gold

Ciryl Gane is seen on stage during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey — Gane, a former interim heavyweight champion, has been unsuccessful in all three of his undisputed title fights

“But yeah, in the moment, I was a little bit frustrated, because I thought it was possible to continue the fight.

“I was thinking about all of the stuff I did to prepare for the fight, but this is the sport – it’s okay.”

When is Aspinall back?

Aspinall has already confirmed he will fight the winner of Pereira vs Gane next.

Earlier this month, the 33-year-old was told by doctors that he would be cleared for contact training again if his progress continues.

While Aspinall may not be fit to return in the summer, at UFC 329 in July or UFC 330 in August, for example, his comeback could come in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The Atherton native is now being managed by Matchroom Sports chairman Eddie Hearn and plans on making as many title defences as possible upon his return.