Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight title, giving up the belt because of ongoing complications with injuries to both of his eyes.
“"I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up."”
The 33-year-old Brit announced the decision in a statement posted to social media, and he did not disguise how much it hurt. "I'm absolutely gutted," Aspinall said. "I've chased this dream since I was 10 years old."
"Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now," he said. "I've had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing. I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear."
He has not fought since October, when his heavyweight title bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no contest. Gane poked him in the eyes late in the first round, Aspinall could not continue, and the bout was ruled a no contest. Multiple surgeries on both eyes followed.
The decision to step aside, he said, was made partly for the division. "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 said. "I know what it's like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title."
It is a selfless move from a fighter who knows exactly what it feels like to wait. Aspinall spent years as the division's uncrowned top contender before finally getting his undisputed reign. Now, rather than freeze the heavyweight picture indefinitely, he has freed it.
The division moves on at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden, where Ciryl Gane defends the undisputed belt against Josh Hokit.
For Aspinall, the timeline is now measured in doctor visits, not fight camps. The hope remains that he can return in 2027. But as he acknowledged himself, the timing of his return is unclear — and the belt he gave up may not be waiting when he gets back.
