Dana White confirms Ciryl Gane won’t be promoted to undisputed champion

The UFC heavyweight title is now vacant after Tom Aspinall relinquished the belt due to a lingering eye injury. Interim champion Ciryl Gane will not be automatically promoted to undisputed status despite the vacant belt, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed in a recent interview.

White stated clearly that Gane must fight to earn the undisputed heavyweight crown, breaking from the UFC's typical practice of promoting interim champions when the undisputed title becomes vacant. Aspinall had previously won the belt after Jon Jones vacated it, and the promotion has historically followed this interim-to-undisputed path with fighters like Robert Whittaker, Georges St. Pierre, Jose Aldo, and Conor McGregor.

Gane captured the interim title at UFC Freedom 250 with a finish of Alex Pereira, which was slated to set up a title unification bout with Aspinall. Instead, the Frenchman now faces a fight for the vacant undisputed championship. White revealed the interim champion will return to action "soon," with potential opponents including undefeated Josh Hokit and a potential rematch against Pereira both rumored. Gane holds a 14-2 record.