Tom Aspinall has set the record straight.Amid growing speculation about his future, the UFC heavyweight champion has firmly denied rumors suggesting he plans to leave the promotion or relinquish his title.
Aspinall addressed the situation directly on social media after reports and comments from third parties fueled uncertainty surrounding his status with the UFC.
“I’m not leaving the UFC,” Aspinall wrote. “I’ve never said I have in any interview, and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true.”
The statement leaves little room for interpretation. Despite the rumors circulating online, Tom Aspinall not leaving UFC is the reality, according to the champion himself.
Aspinall has remained out of action since UFC 321, where he defended his undisputed heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane.
The highly anticipated main event ended in frustration after Aspinall suffered multiple eye injuries from accidental eye pokes, forcing the fight to be ruled a no contest. The British heavyweight later underwent several surgeries to address the damage and has spent the past several months focusing on his recovery.
While Aspinall has regularly updated fans on his health, neither he nor the UFC has provided a definitive timeline for his return to the Octagon.
That lack of clarity has sparked plenty of speculation, including rumors that Aspinall could walk away from the UFC altogether.
Those rumors intensified after his longtime boxing coach, Stipe Drvis, suggested during an Instagram Live session that Aspinall may not want to compete in the UFC again. The comments quickly gained traction online and fueled debate about the champion’s future.
“We are talking with the UFC daily, and they will update you guys always,” Aspinall added.
Although his comeback date remains uncertain, all signs point toward Aspinall returning to defend his championship once he receives medical clearance.
Many expect the UFC to revisit the Ciryl Gane matchup after their first encounter ended without a result. Gane has remained active during Aspinall’s absence and currently holds interim heavyweight gold after defeating Alex Pereira.
A potential rematch between the two heavyweights could headline one of the UFC’s biggest events later this year.
At the same time, Aspinall’s recent partnership with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has generated discussion about future contract negotiations. Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White have exchanged public criticism in the past, leading some fans to wonder whether those tensions could complicate discussions regarding Aspinall’s next fight.
