ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: Tom Aspinall of England prepares to face Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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Tom Aspinall made it clear on Wednesday. He’s not looking to leave the UFC. Aspinall took to social media and posted an official statement to shut down the rumors that have surfaced. Aspinall, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, has been out of action for 10-plus months, had three eye surgeries and a public falling out with Dana White.
He’s also signed with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn as his manager. White and Hearn have been embroiled in a bitter war of words over the past few months. All of that together is definitely enough to fuel rumors of his potential exit from the promotion. What’s really happening and what’s next for Aspinall? Let’s talk MMA.
Aspinall posted the statement to his own account Wednesday.
Tom Aspinall Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| 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 rumor started with Aspinall’s own boxing coach, who said on an Instagram Live that his fighter no longer wanted to fight in the promotion. Hearn had already offered in June to buy the contract out, putting in writing that Aspinall would earn three times more elsewhere.
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/Getty Images)
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Ranked heavyweight Josh Hokit called this month for the belt to be taken off him. Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev meet at UFC 333 in October with the winner sitting behind the unification.
Aspinall’s next fight has to be against interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. Aspinall and Gane’s first fight, back in 2025, ended in a no contest after the latter’s double eye poke left the former injured, partially blind and in need of surgeries to repair the issues.
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 then, Gane has gone on to win the interim title by stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Aspinall still doesn’t have a return date, but according to his post, he’s talking with the UFC daily.
When the two men have their rematch, it will be one of the biggest fights of the year and it is a prime candidate to headline UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden in November.
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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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