UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has rejected reports that he is planning to leave the promotion as the Briton continues his recovery from a serious eye injury.
Aspinall has not competed since October, when his first heavyweight title defence against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest after repeated eye pokes left him unable to continue. The 33-year-old was later diagnosed with a rare eye condition after suffering persistent double vision and subsequently underwent surgery.
“I’m not leaving the UFC,” said Aspinall, according to a post on X. “I’ve never said I have in any interview, and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true.”
“We are talking with the UFC daily and they will update you guys always,” said Aspinall. His comments came after reports circulated on social media on Wednesday claiming the heavyweight champion had decided to leave the organisation.
Aspinall said in June that he had returned to full training and suggested a rematch with Gane could take place in September. Gane has since defeated Alex Pereira to win the interim heavyweight title at the UFC’s White House card in June before calling for a unification bout with Aspinall. Aspinall has fought 10 times in the UFC, recording eight victories, one defeat and one no-contest. His only loss came against Curtis Blaydes after Aspinall suffered a serious knee injury early in their 2022 bout, a defeat he later avenged with a first-round stoppage in 2024.
