Published 28 days ago
The Brit, undefeated except for one, gives up his heavyweight crown after critical medical complications
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Tom Aspinall, UFC heavyweight champion, vacates his title due to persistent eye complications. After multiple surgeries and training accidents, the Brit—undefeated except for a no-contest—can no longer obtain medical clearance to fight. Ciryl Gane, already interim titleholder, could inherit the vacant belt in an upcoming bout.
To remember:
- Tom Aspinall vacates his UFC heavyweight title due to persistent eye complications after multiple surgeries and training accidents.
- The Brit, undefeated except for a no-contest, ends his career with regret after injuries worsened during sparring.
- Ciryl Gane, the favorite to inherit the vacant title, could be crowned undisputed champion after already winning the interim belt.
Unbelievable but true: Tom Aspinall, one of the UFC’s most dominant heavyweights, has just vacated his title following critical eye complications. The Brit, undefeated in ten fights except for a no-contest against Ciryl Gane in October 2025, announced his decision after months of suffering and multiple surgeries.
His injuries, initially minor, worsened during intense sparring sessions. Consulted specialists confirmed that Aspinall cannot obtain medical clearance to step back into the Octagon. "Those repeated illegal strikes have irreversibly weakened my vision," he stated in an emotional press release.
A heavyweight division left hanging
With this withdrawal, the UFC heavyweight title is now vacant, and Ciryl Gane is positioning himself as the clear favorite to inherit the belt. The Frenchman, already interim champion after his win over Alex Pereira, now only awaits official confirmation from the UFC to become the undisputed champion.
The organization has yet to announce the next steps, but a quick unification seems inevitable to reignite a division in full swing. Fans are hoping for a spectacular fight to crown the next heavyweight king.
Tom Aspinall’s withdrawal marks a turning point in UFC heavyweight history. With Ciryl Gane in pole position to inherit the title, the division could enter a new chapter in the coming months. One thing is certain: the UFC won’t leave this title vacant for long.