Dana White said Ciryl Gane wasnt undisputed champ; UFC says otherwise
Dana
White created some confusion about the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title picture.
Tom Aspinall (15-3) recently vacated the heavyweight title due to lingering eye injuries. When a champion vacates a title, the UFC usually promotes the interim champion, if any, to undisputed. However, White recently said that Gane (14-2), who won the interim title at UFC Freedom 250, won’t be promoted to undisputed status despite Aspinall vacating the title.
Prior to UFC 331, White did an interview with former UFC fighter Diana Belbita, in which he claimed that Gane wouldn’t be elevated to undisputed champion.
“Does it make [Gane] the undisputed champion? No,” White said. “He still got to fight.”
However, according to the UFC 331 broadcast, Gane is now the undisputed champion and will defend his belt at UFC 334 in New York City against Josh Hokit. UFC color commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan joked that a misunderstanding may have occurred during the aforementioned interview due to White’s hearing issues.
Gane takes on Hokit (10-0) on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden. The co-main event of UFC 334 features a bantamweight title clash between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. Furthermore, the latest flyweight sensation, Bilal Hasan, is set to make his sophomore UFC appearance on the card against Luis Gurule. Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui and Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland make up the remainder of the main card.
This item was updated at 10:35 p.m. ET to insert UFC 334 information and correct Dana White's comments to a former fighter. The UFC in fact did make Gane undisputed champ, after White told an interviewer they would not.
Tom Aspinall (15-3) recently vacated the heavyweight title due to lingering eye injuries. When a champion vacates a title, the UFC usually promotes the interim champion, if any, to undisputed. However, White recently said that Gane (14-2), who won the interim title at UFC Freedom 250, won’t be promoted to undisputed status despite Aspinall vacating the title.
Ciryl Gane now undisputed champ, set to defend title against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 in MSG
Prior to UFC 331, White did an interview with former UFC fighter Diana Belbita, in which he claimed that Gane wouldn’t be elevated to undisputed champion.
“Does it make [Gane] the undisputed champion? No,” White said. “He still got to fight.”
However, according to the UFC 331 broadcast, Gane is now the undisputed champion and will defend his belt at UFC 334 in New York City against Josh Hokit. UFC color commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan joked that a misunderstanding may have occurred during the aforementioned interview due to White’s hearing issues.
Gane takes on Hokit (10-0) on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden. The co-main event of UFC 334 features a bantamweight title clash between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. Furthermore, the latest flyweight sensation, Bilal Hasan, is set to make his sophomore UFC appearance on the card against Luis Gurule. Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui and Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland make up the remainder of the main card.
🚨 DOING IT BIG FOR THE BIG APPLE 🚨
We’re bringing a massive card to @TheGarden for #Polymarket#UFC334!
[ LIVE NOVEMBER 14 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/UpNc9sn5cs— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2026
This item was updated at 10:35 p.m. ET to insert UFC 334 information and correct Dana White's comments to a former fighter. The UFC in fact did make Gane undisputed champ, after White told an interviewer they would not.