Dana White Says Gane Not Undisputed Champ

UFC president Dana White said Ciryl Gane would not be promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the title, creating confusion about the belt's status.

White told former fighter Diana Belbita before UFC 331 that Gane's interim title win at UFC Freedom 250 would not automatically make him the undisputed champion. "Does it make [Gane] the undisputed champion? No," White said, per Sherdog. "He still got to fight."

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UFC Reverses Course on Gane's Championship Status

The UFC 331 broadcast contradicted White's comments, announcing that Gane is now the undisputed champion and will defend the belt against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden. Commentators Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan suggested a misunderstanding may have occurred during White's interview due to hearing issues, according to Sherdog.

White had told Sportsnet that Gane would need to compete again before claiming undisputed status. "We'll see how this whole thing plays out with Aspinall," he said, as reported by BJPenn.com. "Ciryl will fight, and we'll see who becomes the champion."

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Gane takes on the undefeated Hokit, who enters the bout with a 10-0 record. The UFC 334 card also features a bantamweight title clash between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes in the co-main event.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — UPDATED Dana White said Ciryl Gane wasn't undisputed champ; UFC says otherwise
• bjpenn.com — Ciryl Gane is not the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, says Dana White | BJPenn.com