UFC to review Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title status amid injury absence

The UFC will review Tom Aspinall’s position as heavyweight champion as he nears a year without competing, president Dana White has said. According to BBC Sport’s reporting on Sunday, White confirmed the subject would be discussed but said he did not personally know the fighter’s current health status. His comments did not announce a decision to remove Aspinall’s title or a date for his return.

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The question arose after Valentina Shevchenko gave up her women’s flyweight championship earlier this month because of continuing injuries. Asked whether Aspinall should follow that course, or whether stripping him of the belt had been discussed, White said the UFC would address the issue. He said Shevchenko did not want to hold up her division and assumed Aspinall felt similarly, while acknowledging that his medical position needed clarification.

Aspinall, 33, has been sidelined since his first defence of the undisputed heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. That contest ended without a winner after eye pokes left him unable to continue. BBC Sport reported that he subsequently experienced persistent double vision, was diagnosed with a rare eye condition and underwent surgery. White’s latest remarks offered no updated assessment of his recovery.

BBC Sport’s original report from UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi recorded that the bout was stopped in the opening round after Gane caught Aspinall in both eyes while attempting a punch. The referee ruled the foul accidental and declared a no-contest, meaning Aspinall kept the championship. He was taken to hospital afterwards and did not attend the post-fight news conference.

There have been signs of progress during his absence. In June, Aspinall said he had resumed full training for another fight with Gane and suggested September as a possible time for it. That was an indication of his hopes, not a confirmed booking. In an August statement reported by the BBC, he also said he remained in daily contact with the UFC.

Gane meanwhile defeated Alex Pereira at the UFC’s White House event in June to become interim heavyweight champion and subsequently called for another meeting with Aspinall. White’s comments now put the existing champion’s status under review, with the timing of a return still unresolved. The reporting leaves both a potential rematch and any change to Aspinall’s championship status dependent on further developments.