Champion rejects exit reports
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has publicly denied reports that he is leaving the organization, posting on X that he has never said such a thing and that he is in daily contact with the UFC. The denial came after social media speculation on Wednesday, fueled by claims from his boxing coach Stipe Drvis during an Instagram Live session that Aspinall would not fight for the promotion again.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]
The 33-year-old fighter hasn't stepped into the octagon since October, when his initial title defense against Ciryl Gane was declared a no-contest due to multiple eye pokes that left him unable to see properly. Following that, he was found to have a rare eye condition called bilateral traumatic Brown's syndrome, which required several operations on both eyes. Now fully recovered and back in training, he has hinted at a possible rematch with Gane in September, although no official date has been confirmed.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6]
Heavyweight picture and management tension
In Aspinall's absence, Ciryl Gane won the interim heavyweight title in June by stopping Alex Pereira at the UFC's White House card, setting up a unification bout as the next mandatory step. Aspinall remains the undisputed champion, as his belt was not stripped due to the no-contest result.[S1][S4][S6]
Speculation intensified after Aspinall signed a management deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom earlier this year. Hearn has been vocal in urging UFC CEO Dana White to let Aspinall go, but White has brushed off the requests as typical negotiation tactics. Aspinall himself hasn't sought a release, and his camp is reportedly aiming for a rematch with Gane at UFC 334 in November at Madison Square Garden.[S4][S5][S6]
