Tom Aspinall Vacates UFC Heavyweight Championship

Tom Aspinall has officially vacated the UFC heavyweight championship, citing persistent eye problems that have hindered his ability to receive medical clearance for fights.

Aspinall has been sidelined since his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, which ended in a no contest due to an eye poke, necessitating multiple surgeries. Although he had resumed sparring and was preparing for a return, a new injury to his right eye has delayed his comeback indefinitely.

Aspinall initially won the interim title in November 2023 and was later promoted to undisputed champion following Jon Jones' retirement in 2025. With the title now vacant, Gane, who is the current interim champion after defeating Alex Pereira in June, is a leading candidate to be elevated or matched against a ranked contender for the vacant championship.