Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Weighs Stripping Tom Aspinall of Heavyweight Title Amid Year-Long Inactivity

Tom Aspinall captured the UFC heavyweight championship after Jon Jones retired and was elevated from interim to undisputed status. His first defense occurred at UFC 321 in October 2025 against Ciryl Gane. The bout ended in a first-round no-contest when Gane’s accidental eye pokes left Aspinall unable to continue. Subsequent medical evaluation diagnosed bilateral traumatic Brown syndrome, prompting multiple eye surgeries. As of the latest reports, Aspinall has not competed since that October 2025 fight, marking nearly a year out of the octagon.

SportskeedaSportskeedaNewsweekUh-oh? Dana White to ‘discuss stripping’ Tom Aspinall for inactivity - ‘We should be clear that up soon’ Henry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’ Tom Aspinall urged to relinquish UFC heavyweight title by former two-division champion: “Let the other dudes fight” Dana White Doesn’t Rule Out Stripping Tom Aspinall Of Heavyweight Title

UFC chief executive Dana White addressed the situation at a post-event press conference following the September 2026 “Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado.” When asked about Aspinall’s prolonged absence, White said the organization would “definitely be talking about that,” noting that Valentina Shevchenko had vacated her flyweight belt for similar injury-related reasons. White added that he does not know Aspinall’s current health status and that the promotion intends to “clear that up soon.” He stopped short of confirming a strip or vacancy, but indicated the heavyweight division will continue operating while the champion’s condition is assessed.

Uh-oh? Dana White to ‘discuss stripping’ Tom Aspinall for inactivity - ‘We should be clear that up soon’ NewsweekSportskeedaDana White Doesn’t Rule Out Stripping Tom Aspinall Of Heavyweight Title SportskeedaHenry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’ Tom Aspinall urged to relinquish UFC heavyweight title by former two-division champion: “Let the other dudes fight”

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo has publicly urged the UFC to move forward without Aspinall. He also criticized Aspinall’s manager, Eddie Hearn, stating that Hearn “does not help Tom Aspinall” and lacks leverage to secure a fight. Cejudo’s comments suggest that, in his view, the UFC should either force a strip or prompt Aspinall to vacate before the one-year inactivity threshold passes.

Henry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’ NewsweekSportskeedaSportskeedaUh-oh? Dana White to ‘discuss stripping’ Tom Aspinall for inactivity - ‘We should be clear that up soon’ Tom Aspinall urged to relinquish UFC heavyweight title by former two-division champion: “Let the other dudes fight” Dana White Doesn’t Rule Out Stripping Tom Aspinall Of Heavyweight Title

• “We’ll definitely be talking about that,” — Dana White, UFC CEO — Dana White, UFC CEO

Uh-oh? Dana White to ‘discuss stripping’ Tom Aspinall for inactivity - ‘We should be clear that up soon’

• “Yeah, we’ll definitely be talking about that,” — Dana White, UFC CEO — Dana White, UFC CEO

Dana White Doesn’t Rule Out Stripping Tom Aspinall Of Heavyweight Title

• “I think Tom Aspinall needs to vacate or be stripped at this point,” — Event Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion — Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion

Henry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’

• “Eddie Hearn does not help Tom Aspinall,” — Event Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion — Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion

Henry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’

• “Once that year is up, you’re done,” — Event Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion — Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion

Henry Cejudo: Tom Aspinall ‘needs to vacate or be stripped at this point’

• “It would be wrong for them to give (a title shot) to Pereira,” — Event Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion — Henry Cejudo, flyweight champion

Tom Aspinall urged to relinquish UFC heavyweight title by former two-division champion: “Let the other dudes fight”

White indicated that the UFC will “clear up” Aspinall’s health status “soon,” implying that a decision on the title’s future could be reached in the coming weeks. No specific deadline or scheduled meeting has been disclosed. The promotion is expected to keep the heavyweight division active, potentially positioning interim champion Ciryl Gane for a unification bout once Aspinall’s situation is resolved.

Uh-oh? Dana White to ‘discuss stripping’ Tom Aspinall for inactivity - ‘We should be clear that up soon’