Overview
- This week Jones told Ring Magazine he expects Gane to win a rematch and recalled a 2023 backstage moment that convinced him of Gane’s drive and sportsmanship.
- Gane secured the interim heavyweight belt with a stoppage of Alex Pereira on the White House card in June 2026, creating the sporting mandate for a unification fight.
- Aspinall has been medically cleared and returned to training after double eye surgery, making him available to defend the undisputed title later this year.
- Promotional and contractual issues remain the main barrier to a date and site because Aspinall’s camp, led by promoter Eddie Hearn, is negotiating a reworked pay package with the UFC.
- Jones remains in the UFC drug-testing pool and noncommittal about his own return, and the outcome and timing of the rematch could affect heavyweight pecking order and future champion pay talks.