Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight division.
Aspinall’s first heavyweight title defense Cyril Gane
ended without an anti-climate contest in October 2025. The Englishman was unable to continue after Gane poked him in both eyes at the same time in the first round. Aspinall has been inactive since then, recovering from several eye procedures, but Cortes-Acosta insists he will avoid a rematch with Gane.
Cortes-Acosta accuses UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall of avoiding Cyril Gane
Gane won the interim heavyweight title by a second-round knockout Alex Pereira at
UFC Freedom 250paving the way for a rematch with Aspinall. Cortes-Acosta believes Aspinall has had enough time to recover from the injury and claims the Brit is inactive as he does not want to fight Gane again.
“It’s frustrating to see a champion like that,” Cortes-Acosta said
UFC 4 night media day. “He knows he has to come back and fight Ciryl Gane. I think, excuse the language, but he’s a p*ssy. I think he’s had a long time to heal and come back and fight for the title. To me, that’s not a champion. A champion has to be a warrior in the ring, not an ap*ssy. We don’t know where his Gallery is because he doesn’t want to fight.”
UFC CEO Dana White and Aspinall’s advisor Eddie Hearn have both indicated that the champion’s recovery continues, further pushing back his return to the Octagon. Meanwhile, Cortes-Acosta (17-3) is scheduled to fight. Curtis Blaydes (19-6) in a pivotal heavyweight bout at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
