Ciryl Gane Eyes Rematch with Alex Pereira Amid Heavyweight Uncertainty
Ciryl Gane isn’t waiting around.
The UFC interim heavyweight champion has made it clear: if Tom Aspinall’s injured eye keeps the undisputed belt on ice, he’s ready to run it back with Alex Pereira – the man he knocked out in a storm of controversy at UFC Freedom 250.
A Controversial Crown
Gane’s win over Pereira delivered him the interim strap and a guaranteed shot at Aspinall. It also left a bitter aftertaste.
Several of the punches and elbows that rocked Pereira and led to the finish landed to the back of the Brazilian’s head. Referee Herb Dean let the action continue, issued no warning, no point deduction, and no restart. Gane walked away with the stoppage, the belt, and the next crack at the champion.
Pereira walked away with questions. So did a lot of fans.
The result stood, the highlight reel rolled, but the debate never really cooled.
Aspinall on Ice, Gane Stays Ready
On paper, the next step is simple: Aspinall vs. Gane for heavyweight supremacy. In reality, Aspinall’s eye injury has jammed the division in neutral.
Gane, speaking to RMC Sport, laid out the situation without drama. The priority remains Aspinall and a unification fight. That’s the matchup the Frenchman wants, and it’s the one the UFC has discussed with his coach and manager Fernand Lopez.
But he isn’t tying his future to Aspinall’s medical clearance.
"We're not sure (who the next opponent will be). We don't know if there is a rematch against Tom Aspinall. We want it. The UFC talks about it with Fernand, so we focus on Tom Aspinall. If tomorrow it will be someone else, it's okay. What I would like is either Tom Aspinall or a rematch against Alex Pereira," Gane said.
That’s the list. No tune‑ups. No stay‑busy fights. Either the champion, or the man he flattened amid controversy.
Pereira Lurking, Division Waiting
The heavyweight picture now hangs on one medical update. If Aspinall can’t get cleared, the UFC faces a choice it can’t dodge forever.
The promotion can’t afford to let an interim champion sit idle while the undisputed titleholder remains on the shelf. The longer Aspinall is out, the louder the calls grow for movement at the top. That’s where Pereira slides back into the frame.
The Brazilian currently has no fight booked, though he has been linked with a potential clash against rival Josh Hokit. It’s talk, not ink on paper. Nothing that would block a second meeting with Gane if the UFC decides to lean into the controversy and cash in on the storyline.
One man with an interim belt. One rival with unfinished business. One champion stuck in limbo.
If Aspinall’s eye doesn’t clear in time, the solution writes itself: Gane vs. Pereira II, with the stakes even higher and the spotlight even harsher on every punch that strays near the back of the head.
The only question now is whether the next heavyweight headliner features the undisputed champion—or the rematch that refuses to go away.
