Tom Aspinall, the 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. Aspinall, who suffered multiple eye surgeries after a controversial fight with Gane in October 2025, is now cleared to fight again. However, the UFC's decision to stage a heavyweight title fight during European primetime on a non-numbered 'premium' card is questionable. Despite Aspinall's willingness to cross over into enemy territory to fight in France on September 5th, the UFC's track record of paying its top fighters what they deserve is iffy. Aspinall's recent collaboration with Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn suggests that he is determined to be respected by the UFC in upcoming negotiations. The UFC's move to end the pay-per-view model and shift to Paramount+ has also impacted fighter contracts. The heavyweight champ is ready to fight, but the UFC needs to address the financial concerns of its top fighters to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial relationship. The future of Aspinall vs. Gane 2 hangs in the balance, with the UFC's decision-making and fighter contracts in the spotlight.
