Tom Aspinall could lose UFC heavyweight title as Dana White plans talks

Aspinall has not competed since last October when he fought Cyril Gane
ended in a no-contest after illegal eye pokes prevented him from continuing. The heavyweight champion suffered injuries to both eyes that required surgery and there is still no confirmation on his return. UFC CEO Dana White recently weighed in on what’s next in the heavyweight title picture.

Dana White says the UFC is discussing the status of Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight championship absent his injuries

Together Valentina Shevchenko White, who recently vacated the UFC women’s flyweight championship after an injury, was asked if Aspinall would do the same for Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn at the post-fight presser.

“We’ll definitely talk about it,” White told reporters. “That’s one of them — Valentina, for example, doesn’t want to tie up the division. And I assume Tom feels the same way. I don’t know personally where he’s at with everything health-wise, but we should figure that out soon.”

With Aspinall on the sidelines, Gane won the interim heavyweight title with a win Alex Pereira at
UFC Freedom 250 in June, setting up a title unification rematch with Aspinall. However, the Briton is said not to have been approved by the sports commissions.