UFC not crowning Ciryl Gane undisputed heavyweight champion

September 18, 2026 - 9:25pm

UFC President Dana White joins Diana Belbita to discuss why Ciryl Gane won't automatically be named heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the title, and Mike Mallott's title chances and the potential for more events in Canada.

Ciryl Gane will have to win the UFC heavyweight championship again.

The UFC will not crown Gane — the interim heavyweight champion — the undisputed champion following Tom Aspinall relinquishing the title, Dana White told Sportsnet on Friday.

White added that Gane will be fighting "very soon" in a bout for the now vacant title, but didn't disclose who his opponent may be. Just behind Gane in the heavyweight rankings is Alexander Volkov.

Aspinall relinquished his championship on Monday due to his ongoing eye injury that he suffered against Gane in October 2025. White added that he doesn't know when Aspinall will be back, but whenever he's healed, the UFC is ready for him.

While Aspinall was sidelined, Gane defeated Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 to be crowned interim champion.

In the past, the UFC has automatically promoted interim champions to undisputed if a title holder is forced to relinquish.