Tom Aspinall seemingly likes the sound of Alex Pereira entering the mix.

Tom Aspinall Octagon Interview | UFC London

The UFC heavyweight champion’s return timeline is uncertain entering 2026, having been sidelined indefinitely since his first defense of the undisputed title last October.

After Jon Jones’ retirement elevated Aspinall to the throne, the Englishman put his gold on the line against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October.

That fight ended anticlimactically in round one when Gane brutally poked Aspinall in both eyes, resulting in a disappointing no-contest and the champion sustaining severe damage.

It’s unclear when Aspinall will be ready to return, sparking talk of an interim belt being created in the meantime.

Tom Aspinall calls potential Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira fight a ‘good stylistic matchup’

After ex-Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson first floated the idea, Joe Rogan discussed Gane fighting Alex Pereira on his podcast. The UFC commentator claimed to have heard “chatter” of that matchup taking place for an interim heavyweight title.

‘Poatan’ has made his desire to move up in weight clear since becoming a two-time champion at 205 pounds. Pereira got revenge on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 before calling out Jon Jones for a super-fight.

With that bout seemingly being off the table for the White House event on June 14, Pereira looks to have turned his attention to other fights in the division and the chance to become the UFC’s first-ever triple champion.

Aspinall looks to be supportive of that happening in the form of an interim title fight amid his forced absence.

“It would be a good fight,” Aspinall said during a video on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel. “I think it’s a good stylistic matchup.”

Tom Aspinall complains of a brutal eye poke as Ciryl Gane watches on

Tom Aspinall wants his revenge on Ciryl Gane

Should the clash between Gane and Pereira come to fruition, the heavyweight king may be torn on who he wants to emerge victorious.

On the one hand, a fight with ‘Poatan’ would see Aspinall sharing the Octagon with one of the sport’s biggest stars. The Brazilian also has some deficiencies that many would back the Englishman to expose.

But entering the new year, it is also clear that Aspinall wants to make Gane pay for the damage he inflicted with his egregious fouling at UFC 321.

“Obviously the plan is to go back and beat the living daylights out of Ciryl Gane, that’s the plan,” Aspinall said during a One on One interview.

“But right now, the short-term plan is to get back to where I should be and get back in the gym,” he added.