Aspinall Vacates UFC Heavyweight Belt

Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight championship, citing ongoing eye problems that have kept him from being medically cleared to fight.

"I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up," Aspinall

Aspinall has been out since his title defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest at UFC 321 due to an eye poke, requiring multiple surgeries. He had reportedly resumed sparring and lined up a return date, but revealed a new injury to his right eye has again left his comeback without a timeline.

"I'm not done," Aspinall

Aspinall won the interim title in November 2023 and was elevated to undisputed champion following Jon Jones' retirement in 2025. With the title now vacant, Gane — the current interim champion after stopping Alex Pereira in June — is the most likely candidate to be elevated, or matched with a ranked contender for the vacant belt.