The Heavyweight Shell Game: Why Dana White Won't Crown Ciryl Gane
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UFC President Dana White refuses to automatically promote interim champion Ciryl Gane to undisputed status following Tom Aspinall's exit, sparking questions about the promotion's title lineage.
Q: What is the current status of the UFC heavyweight championship?
A: According to reporting from Sportsnet, the title is currently vacant. Tom Aspinall relinquished the championship on Monday, a move Sportsnet reports was due to an ongoing eye injury Aspinall sustained during a fight against Ciryl Gane in October 2025.
Q: Who is the interim champion, and why isn't he the undisputed champion?
A: Ciryl Gane is the interim heavyweight champion, having earned that title by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, as reported by Sportsnet. Despite this, UFC President Dana White told Sportsnet on Friday that Gane will not be automatically named the undisputed champion. In my opinion, this is a blatant move by White to play games with the lineage to protect the marketing of a more sellable champion rather than following the merit of the rankings.
Q: Has the UFC handled similar situations differently in the past?
A: Yes. Sportsnet notes that the UFC has previously promoted interim champions to undisputed status automatically when a title holder was forced to relinquish the belt.
Q: What did Dana White say about Ciryl Gane's path forward?
A: Dana White told Sportsnet that Gane will have to win the heavyweight championship again. While White stated that Gane will be fighting for the vacant title "very soon," he did not disclose who the opponent would be. Sportsnet points out that Alexander Volkov currently sits just behind Gane in the heavyweight rankings.
Q: What is the status of former champion Tom Aspinall?
A: Dana White informed Sportsnet that he is unsure when Aspinall will return to action, but emphasized that the UFC is ready for him once he has healed from his injury.