Tom Aspinall's Title Defense and Controversial Stance on Friendships in the UFC

Tom Aspinall is set to defend his undisputed UFC heavyweight title for the first time against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, taking place in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025. Aspinall, who became champion after Jon Jones's retirement, faces Gane, a former interim champion seeking his first undisputed title. Aspinall's rise has been marked by impressive victories, including a knockout of Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, and he has yet to go past the first round in his last six fights.

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In a recent interview, Aspinall stated he would rather vacate his title than fight his friend and training partner, Ante Delija, who recently entered the heavyweight top 10 after a knockout victory over Marcin Tybura. Aspinall explained, “If I’d never won a title, I would feel like we would have to fight... But now I’ve done it, I’d be like, I’ll vacate it and he can have his time.” This sentiment has drawn criticism from UFC CEO Dana White, who expressed his disapproval, stating, “To even think about vacating it because you don’t want to compete against somebody is absolutely insane.”

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Dana White has consistently emphasized that personal relationships should not interfere with professional obligations in the UFC. He remarked, “Many friends, relatives have all fought each other before... you’re competing to see who the best is.” White's comments reflect a broader expectation within the UFC that champions should be willing to defend their titles against any contender, regardless of personal ties. He acknowledged that while Aspinall's decision is ultimately his own, he finds the idea of vacating the title due to friendship troubling.

“I Hate That” – Dana White Visibly Upset Over Champion Tom Aspinall’s Wild Claim

Should Aspinall successfully defend his title against Gane, the potential for a future matchup with Delija looms large. Delija's rapid ascent in the rankings could lead to a title shot, raising questions about Aspinall's commitment to defending his championship. The heavyweight division is currently in flux, with several contenders, including Jailton Almeida and Alexander Volkov, vying for a shot at the title.

Dana White ‘hates’ Tom Aspinall’s remarks about refusing to fight surging heavyweight teammate

While some fans and analysts support Aspinall's loyalty to his friend, others view his stance as detrimental to his career. Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has praised Aspinall's aggressive fighting style, suggesting that his approach could lead to a successful title reign. However, the pressure on Aspinall is significant, as he is expected to perform at a high level in his first title defense.

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As UFC 321 approaches, the outcome of Aspinall's fight against Gane will be pivotal for his career trajectory. A victory could solidify his status as a dominant champion, while a loss could complicate his future in the heavyweight division. The implications of his friendship with Delija and his willingness to vacate the title will continue to be a topic of discussion in the MMA community.

Dana White Not Impressed After Tom Aspinall Refuses to Face Training Partner Ante Delija in Potential 265lbs Title Fight