Tom Aspinall, the current UFC heavyweight champion, is eager to step back into the octagon, but the UFC needs to set a date for his highly anticipated rematch with Ciryl Gane. The fight, which ended in a No Contest due to Gane's illegal eye-poking, is expected to take place in Paris, France, on September 5th. However, the event is technically a UFC Fight Night, which makes it less likely for the UFC to agree to stage a heavyweight title fight during European primetime.
Aspinall's recovery from the eye injuries has been a long process, with multiple surgeries required. Despite his eagerness to fight, Gane has been active in the UFC, winning an interim heavyweight title at the UFC Freedom 250 White House card. Gane suggested a fight at the UFC's annual Paris show, but the event is not a numbered 'premium' card, which could be a hurdle for the fight to take place.
The UFC's relationship with its top fighters has been a point of contention. They have been accused of not paying their fighters what they deserve, with Ronda Rousey, Ilia Topuria, and Justin Gaethje all facing issues with their contracts. However, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway were reportedly happy with the amounts they received.
Aspinall's contract may also be a factor, as the lack of PPV revenue from the last fight needs to be accounted for. He has linked up with Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn, who has called for the UFC to 'respect the fighter' in negotiations. The future of the fight remains uncertain, but Aspinall is ready to step back into the cage and defend his title.
In my opinion, the UFC's treatment of its top fighters is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. The promotion's tight-fisted ways could potentially impact the future of the sport. It remains to be seen how the UFC will handle Aspinall's request for a fight, but the heavyweight champion is clearly eager to get back into the octagon and prove his dominance.
