Ciryl Gane has rejected Tom Aspinall's accusation that he was "a big cheater" during their controversial October title fight. The bout was declared a no-contest after Gane accidentally eye-poked Aspinall in the first round, forcing the British champion to undergo surgery for double vision and black spots.

Aspinall initially accepted the incident as accidental but later reversed his stance, claiming Gane deliberately sought to compromise him. "That is his opinion," Gane responded, respecting the referee's decision and noting he was told nothing during the fight. The Frenchman faces Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight crown at UFC Freedom 250 on Monday.

Despite Gane's dismissal of the accusations, the controversy adds intrigue to his upcoming clash with Pereira. Aspinall, who has resumed training but remains unapproved for contact, is expected to face the winner afterward. The lightweight division watches how Gane handles pressure following one of his most public disputes.

The eye-poke incident exposed raw emotions between top heavyweights, with Aspinall's recovery timeline uncertain. Gane's response signals he will focus on Pereira rather than re-litigate October's disputed finish.