Is Dana White & UFC planning to strip Tom Aspinall of the Heavyweight title?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Dana White opens the door to a potential change in the Heavyweight division.
Tom Aspinall’s UFC heavyweight title reign could be facing a major decision as Dana White confirms that discussions will begin over whether the Brit should be stripped of the championship amid his ongoing eye issues.
Next month will mark a full year since Aspinall’s controversial title fight with Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi. The bout ended in a first-round No Contest after an eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue.
Aspinall has since undergone multiple eye surgeries but has yet to receive medical clearance to return. With the heavyweight division waiting for clarity, questions are now being raised about how long the UFC can allow the champion’s reign to remain on hold.
UFC could soon make a decision on Tom Aspinall’s title reign
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The issue became more pressing after Valentina Shevchenko vacated her UFC flyweight championship earlier this month following an even shorter period of inactivity, due to injury. During the Garcia vs Benn post-fight presser, White was asked whether the heavyweight division could face a similar situation with Aspinall.
The UFC CEO stopped short of confirming that the title would be stripped, but indicated that the promotion is prepared to discuss the possibility. White also suggested that Aspinall may share Shevchenko’s desire not to hold up his division.
“Yeah, we’ll definitely be talking about that,” White said during the post-fight press conference in Las Vegas.
He continued, “It’s one of those things where Valentina doesn’t want to tie up the division and I’m assuming Tom feels the same way. I don’t know personally where he is health-wise with everything. We should clear that up soon.”
For now, there is no official decision on Aspinall’s championship status. The UFC will first need greater clarity regarding his health and potential timeline for his return to the octagon.
Tom Aspinall’s complicated UFC title situation
Aspinall’s absence has added another layer to an already complicated heavyweight title picture. He has not fought since October 2025 and currently has no fight scheduled while he continues his recovery.
The Brit has yet to win a fight for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship inside the Octagon. Instead, he became undisputed champion after being elevated from interim champion following Jon Jones’ retirement last summer.
His relationship with UFC leadership has also reportedly become increasingly complicated. Earlier this year, Aspinall signed a management deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Talent Agency, with Hearn having an ongoing rivalry with White.
Whether that relationship plays any role in the UFC’s eventual decision remains unclear. For now, the key factor appears to be Aspinall’s health and whether his return can happen soon enough to prevent the heavyweight division from remaining stalled.
Opinion
There is a strong argument for allowing Aspinall to keep his championship. His absence is not voluntary, and the eye injury came during a fight rather than through a decision to simply step away from competition. Stripping a champion because of a serious medical issue could also set an uncomfortable precedent.
At the same time, the UFC cannot allow an entire division to remain in limbo indefinitely. The heavyweight championship is one of the most important titles in the sport, and contenders need a realistic opportunity to compete for it.
If Aspinall is still unable to receive clearance in the near future, an interim title may no longer be enough to solve the problem.
Ultimately, the fairest approach may be to give Aspinall a clearly defined window based on his medical situation. If he can provide a realistic return timeline, the UFC should continue to work with its champion.
If there is still no clear path forward, however, vacating the title could be necessary to keep the heavyweight division moving.
Could the UFC strip Tom Aspinall of the heavyweight title?
Yes. Dana White confirmed that discussions about potentially stripping Aspinall will take place, although no decision has been made.
Why has Tom Aspinall been inactive?
Aspinall has been recovering from eye injuries suffered during his fight with Ciryl Gane and has undergone multiple eye surgeries.
Has the UFC officially stripped Tom Aspinall?
No. White has only confirmed that the UFC will discuss the situation. Aspinall remains the heavyweight champion for now.
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