The UFC plans to review Tom Aspinall’s situation as heavyweight champion, given that he is nearing a full year away from competition, according to UFC president Dana White. The 33-year-old British fighter has been inactive since October 2025, when his first title defense against Ciryl Gane ended prematurely in a no-contest due to an eye injury.
During that bout, multiple accidental eye pokes from Gane caused Aspinall to be unable to continue. He was later diagnosed with a rare eye condition, experienced ongoing double vision, and underwent surgery to address the issue.
Recently, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko relinquished her belt because of lasting injuries. When asked if Aspinall might follow a similar path or face losing his title, White responded, “We’ll definitely be talking about that. Valentina didn’t want to hold up the division, and I assume Tom feels the same way. I don’t personally know his health status, but that will be clarified soon.”
In June, Aspinall mentioned he had returned to full training and was aiming for a rematch with Ciryl Gane, possibly as soon as September. He later denied rumors suggesting he intended to leave the UFC after speculation arose in late August. Meanwhile, Gane captured the interim heavyweight title by defeating Alex Pereira at the UFC’s White House event in June and has expressed interest in a rematch with Aspinall.
Fan Take:
This situation is crucial for MMA enthusiasts because it highlights the delicate balance between an athlete’s health and the sport’s competitive integrity. How the UFC handles Aspinall’s status could set an important precedent for managing long-term injuries while keeping divisions moving forward.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
