Cruz and Dillashaw Defend Gane Against Cheating Allegations

Dominick Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw have defended UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane against allegations of foul play in the octagon. The accusations arose after Gane was elevated to undisputed champion following Tom Aspinall's indefinite suspension due to an eye poke during their fight at UFC 321 in October 2025, which ended in a no-contest.

Cruz and Dillashaw discussed the matter on Cruz's Love & War podcast, asserting that critics are misunderstanding Gane's actions. Cruz emphasized personal accountability when it comes to fouls, suggesting that if an opponent can poke him in the eye, it reflects a flaw in his own defense. Dillashaw, who faced his own suspension in 2019, attributed the backlash to Gane's fight against the popular Alex Pereira, where he noted that illegal shots were mischaracterized.

Gane is anticipated to defend his undisputed title for the first time in early 2027, although no opponent has been confirmed yet.