Tom Aspinall has addressed the speculation surrounding his UFC future. The reigning heavyweight champion took to social media on Wednesday with an official statement dismissing rumors of his departure from the promotion.
Aspinall has been sidelined for over ten months, undergoing three eye surgeries following an incident in his fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last October. The British fighter has also recently signed with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn as his manager, a partnership that has drawn considerable attention given the existing tensions between Hearn and UFC president Dana White.
Despite the circumstances, Aspinall has made clear his intention to remain with the organization. “I’m not leaving the UFC,” he stated in his post.
Tom Aspinall Key Facts
| Status | Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion |
| The statement | Posted Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| What he said | “I’m not leaving the UFC” |
| Last appearance | UFC 321, October 25, 2025, no contest against Ciryl Gane |
| Last completed fight | UFC 304, July 27, 2024, first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes |
| The injury | Bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome after an accidental double eye poke |
| Surgeries | Three procedures, one on the left eye and two on the right |
| First operation | February 11, 2026, 108 days after the injury |
| Medically cleared | July 2026 |
| Return date | None announced |
| Interim champion | Ciryl Gane |
| Management | Matchroom Talent Agency, a commercial and advisory role, signed March 5, 2026 |
| UFC 334 | Saturday, November 14, 2026, Madison Square Garden, no bouts announced |
The speculation originated from comments made by Aspinall’s own boxing coach during an Instagram Live broadcast, where he suggested his fighter no longer wished to compete in the UFC. Hearn had previously offered to purchase out Aspinall’s contract in June, publicly stating that the fighter would earn three times more under a different promotional banner.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: Tom Aspinall UFC heavyweight champion and Eddie Hearn chairman of Matchroom Sport shake hands at Battersea Power station on March 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Get Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
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Undefeated heavyweight contender Josh Hokit has called for the title to be stripped from Aspinall this month. Meanwhile, Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev are scheduled to meet at UFC 333 in October, with the winner positioned for a potential title unification bout.
Aspinall’s next bout is expected to come against interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. Their initial encounter at UFC 321 concluded as a no contest after Gane’s accidental double eye poke left Aspinall injured, partially blind, and requiring surgical intervention.
Britain’s Tom Aspinall leaves the ring after being hit in the eye while fighting France’s Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Since that incident, Gane captured the interim title by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June. While Aspinall has not yet confirmed a return date, he indicated in his statement that discussions with the UFC remain ongoing.
Should the two meet again, their rematch would represent one of the year’s most significant bout and is being discussed as a potential headliner for UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in November.
The Aspinall Layoff, Step By Step
Timeline as reported by the UFC and covering outlets.
| Date | Development |
| July 27, 2024 | Knocks out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 |
| June 21, 2025 | Promoted to undisputed champion when Jon Jones retires |
| October 25, 2025 | No contest against Gane at UFC 321 after a double eye poke |
| February 11, 2026 | First eye surgery, 108 days after the injury |
| March 5, 2026 | Signs with the Matchroom Talent Agency |
| June 14, 2026 | Gane stops Pereira for the interim title |
| July 2026 | Medically cleared to return |
| August 26, 2026 | Posts the statement denying an exit |
The UFC Heavyweight Picture
Standing as listed by the UFC.
| Fighter | Position |
| Tom Aspinall | Undisputed champion |
| Ciryl Gane | Interim champion, ranked No. 1 |
| Alexander Volkov | Ranked No. 2, faces Kuniev at UFC 333 |
| Josh Hokit | Undefeated at 10-0, ranked No. 4 |
| Alex Pereira | Moved up from light heavyweight, 0-1 at the weight |
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