Michael Bisping Urges UFC to Add Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Rematch as Third Title Fight at UFC 323

For those unaware, UFC 323 is already shaping up to be massive. Merab Dvalishvili is scheduled to make his fourth bantamweight title defense of the year against Petr Yan, while the co-main event will feature Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight crown for the fifth time against Joshua Van.

Bisping added, “They’ve got [Alexandre] Pantoja vs Joshua Van, and they’ve got Merab [Dvalishvili] vs Petr Yan. Stick a third title fight on there – the final one on ESPN – end of an era, go out with a bang with three title fights. They don’t have to make weight. Both men learned a little bit from what we saw.”

The former 185lbs kingpin suggested that the UFC should end its ESPN partnership with a blockbuster card, featuring three title fights, something rarely seen in recent years. The promotion typically limits numbered pay-per-view cards to two championship bouts, reserving triple-title events for special occasions.

One of the most memorable examples was UFC 217 , where Bisping himself headlined against Georges St-Pierre in what became the Canadian legend’s final fight. That event, held at Madison Square Garden, also saw T.J. Dillashaw reclaim the bantamweight belt from Cody Garbrandt and Rose Namajunas dethrone Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the strawweight title.

Other notable triple-title cards include UFC 245, UFC 259, UFC 261, and, most recently, UFC 300, which featured the light heavyweight, strawweight, and symbolic BMF titles on the line. While Dana White has hinted at an immediate rematch between Aspinall and Gane, that scenario currently appears unlikely. 

Andy Aspinall recently shared a worrying update on his son’s condition, revealing that Tom still can’t see out of his right eye, while his left eye is functioning at only about 50%. Given the seriousness of his injury, a quick turnaround might not be possible, but if Bisping’s suggestion comes true, UFC 323 could mark a spectacular close to the ESPN era.