Tom Aspinall confirms he’ll fight Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane winner in positive update on UFC comeback

Tom Aspinall has been told he’ll fight the winner of Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane on his UFC return.

The UFC heavyweight champion has been sidelined since his last fight in October against Gane, which ended in disaster when he was brutally poked in both eyes.

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Aspinall was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome the following month and has endured a painful recovery that has completely changed his mindset on the fight game.

However, the 33-year-old remains the champion of the UFC’s longtime premier division, and there’s no doubt he’s hungry to make his comeback.

With Aspinall out, former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Pereira moves up a division to fight Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

Pereira vs Gane acts as the chief support act for the UFC White House card on June 14, with Ilia Topuria‘s lightweight title defence against Justin Gaethje headlining.

Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Aspinall provided an update on his comeback, explaining a clear route to finally making a UFC heavyweight title defence.

Aspinall: I’ll be fighting Pereira or Gane next

“We are just on route back from the eye hospital, where today I’ve had a scan,” Aspinall said.

“Things are progressing f***ing nicely, which I’m very happy about.

“They’re saying, pretty soon, if things keep moving in the right direction, I will be cleared for contact.

“I am back in the gym, I am back training, no sparring just yet, but if things keep going the way they’re going, we are back!”

Speaking on his next fight specifically, Aspinall added: “The obvious answer is, the other guys, Alex and Ciryl, have to fight for the interim title.

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“I’m obviously going to fight the winner. The UFC have told me that I’m fighting the winner.

“So, first and foremost, I have to get my health right, which is on the right track.

“I have to wait for that to be done and we fight the winner. Simple as that.”

Aspinall became the interim UFC heavyweight champion in November 2023 by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in one round.

He defended the status against Curtis Blaydes eight months later, becoming the promotion’s longest-reigning interim champion after a verbal back-and-forth with Jon Jones never materialised to an undisputed fight.

The Englishman has since teamed up with Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn and wants to defend his belt as much as possible before a potential switch to boxing.

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It’s unlikely Aspinall will be fit for a return at the likes of UFC 330 on August 15, but fans could well see the champion return in the fourth quarter of 2026.

UFC Schedule

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