Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight title after a series of injuries and delays prevented him from defending the belt. The 33-year-old fighter last competed 11 months ago, suffering a first-round no-contest against Ciryl Gane due to an eye poke injury requiring multiple surgeries.
The initial setback occurred in 2022 when Aspinall tore his knee, disrupting his path to the title. Despite becoming interim champion, he faced frustration waiting for then-regular title holder Jon Jones, even defending the interim strap. Jones ultimately retired and vacated the title, a move Aspinall considered spiteful. Following Jones’s departure, Aspinall’s return was halted by the injury sustained during his fight with Gane.
“I am not done,” Aspinall stated, emphasizing that stepping away from the title does not mean abandoning the sport. However, with no clearance to compete and UFC president Dana White suggesting a potential stripping of the title, Aspinall preemptively relinquished the belt. The decision followed a similar move by Valentina Shevchenko, who vacated her belt after injury.
The situation was further complicated by Aspinall’s recent signing with Matchroom Talent Agency, headed by Eddie Hearn, leading to an ongoing rivalry between Hearn and White. Matchroom Talent Agency shared Aspinall’s statement alongside the fighter.
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