Dana White Shuts Down Gane's Automatic Promotion To Champion

Speaking briefly with reporters Friday at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins, Dana White made clear that Ciryl Gane won't simply inherit the undisputed heavyweight title now that Tom Aspinall has stepped away from it.

Aspinall hasn't competed since last October, when illegal eye pokes from Gane ended what was supposed to be his first title defense in a no contest. He'd reportedly been closing in on a full training camp and a possible return date, but a fresh setback this week — getting struck during a training session — pushed him to give up the belt once more.

The circumstances mirror how Aspinall himself became champion in the first place: he spent an extended stretch as interim titleholder awaiting a shot at then-champion Jon Jones, only to be elevated outright when Jones unexpectedly retired in 2025.

Many assumed the same path awaited Gane. Instead, White confirmed that won't be the case, insisting Gane must earn the undisputed title in the cage rather than have it handed to him.