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 frustration, he remains focused on the fight, even though Gane has been active in the interim, winning an interim heavyweight title. The potential for a fight in Abu Dhabi or Madison Square Garden is also discussed, as these locations are significant for the UFC's early investment partners.
One of the main hurdles is the UFC's pay structure for top fighters. Aspinall has linked up with Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn, who has criticized the UFC's unfair treatment of fighters. The promotion has a history of underpaying its top stars, including Ronda Rousey, Ilia Topuria, and Justin Gaethje. However, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway have expressed satisfaction with their pay, suggesting that the promotion's tight-fisted ways are not absolute.
Aspinall's contract also needs to be amended to account for the lack of PPV revenue, which is a significant factor in the UFC's move to Paramount+. The future of the fight remains uncertain, but Aspinall's eagerness to compete and the potential for a high-stakes bout in a prestigious location make it a highly anticipated event in the world of MMA.
