Multiple Surgeries for Aspinall: Why Ciryl Gane Still Says He's No Cheater

Hold up, fight fans! Ciryl Gane is stepping into the Octagon at UFC Freedom 250 this Sunday, ready to throw down for a piece of the interim heavyweight title. This is his fifth shot at a heavyweight belt, which is wild, but the talk swirling around him isn't just about his skills. Nope, Gane's got a reputation problem, a tainted one, and he's flat-out rejecting the idea he's a dirty fighter, even with all the evidence staring us down. Can a clean, decisive win against Alex Pereira finally change that narrative? We're about to find out!

The Gnarly History: Eye Pokes, Groin Kicks, and Indefinite Layoffs

You remember it, right? Gane's last fight was against Tom Aspinall, and it ended in a no-contest because of some seriously nasty eye pokes. Initially, there was a whole debate over how severe the fouls actually were. But then the brutal truth hit: Aspinall needed multiple surgeries to correct his vision, and he's been shelved indefinitely. That’s not just a bad night, that’s career-altering stuff! Naturally, when those facts came out, fans everywhere, especially us 12s who demand integrity, started to sour on Gane. And if you dare to look online, you'll find countless compilations of illegal strikes Gane has committed. We're talking everything from those infamous eye pokes to groin kicks and strikes behind the head. It's not a great look for a guy who wants to be called champion, is it?

Gane's Wild Defense: "I Know That I'm Not a Cheater"

Despite this mountain of evidence, Ciryl Gane is completely dismissing the idea that he's a dirty fighter. He’s standing firm, telling us, "No, unfortunately, at every event, every week, something happens. Even if it's in a bad way, let people talk about me. Whatever, I know that I'm not a cheater." He totally rejects the notion that his actions are intentional, chalking up the fouls to the absolute chaos and realities of mixed martial arts. He says targets move in fractions of a second, which, okay, we get it, MMA is fast. He uses the example that a clean inside leg kick can suddenly drift to the groin if an opponent changes levels. He argues the same is true for eye pokes, pointing out that Aspinall's own teammate, Ante Delija, committed a similar foul just one week after UFC 321! Gane says, "Unfortunately, when you land something, sometimes the opponent changes levels, and your strike strays off target. With the eyes, unfortunately, one week after our fight, you saw Tom Aspinall's training partner do exactly the same thing. Every weekend, you see this. Unfortunately, we have small gloves." Remember, extending fingers towards an opponent's face is already illegal, so eye pokes are usually symptoms of preceding fouls. Referees are even quicker to issue warnings and deduct points now. But Gane insists this increased scrutiny hasn't changed his approach. He showed the camera how he holds his hand, palm facing out, fingers extended, explaining, "I've always been careful. My hand was like that. Unfortunately, when you want to keep the guy away from you, and you have only his face, sometimes there's a bad reflex."

So, here we are, Seattle. This Sunday, Gane faces Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250. Will this be the fight where Gane finally puts his tainted reputation to rest with a dominant, clean performance? Or will another questionable moment pop up and put his integrity, and his championship hopes, under the microscope all over again? This is huge for his legacy, and for the purity of the sport. You absolutely gotta tune in!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.