Has Tom Aspinall been asked to vacate his UFC title? A look at Josh Thomson’s claim and the facts behind the hype.
In the wake of Abu Dhabi drama last October, the UFC’s heavyweight picture has been at a standstill. The only title fight in that division last year ended in a no-contest after Tom Aspinall, the undisputed champion at the time, sustained a severe eye poke from Ciryl Gane. The incident left Aspinall with substantial damage, and he has remained sidelined while he recovers. Recently, Aspinall underwent double eye surgery, and his timeline for returning to action remains uncertain.
With the division still in flux, one fighter believed he’d uncovered a shocking development about Aspinall’s status.
Has the Aspinall-Gane result altered your view of a potential rematch? Share your thoughts on their brief first encounter.
Josh Thomson, known for his Strikeforce and UFC pedigree, sparked controversy by sharing a claim from a high-profile troll account on X. The post alleged that Aspinall had demanded to be released from the UFC after being told to vacate the heavyweight title. Thomson added that Aspinall was willing to vacate if the UFC would release him, suggesting this could clear the way for a boxing career. He described the situation as bizarre and lamented the current state of the heavyweight division.
There is no evidence to support the claim.
Uncrowned journalist Petesy Carroll then stepped in, stating on social media that Aspinall’s team had not discussed vacating the title or leaving the roster. Carroll emphasized that no one had contacted Aspinall or his team about stepping away from the title or the UFC. He called the report false and noted that such a development would require clear mutual agreement.
Will the UFC allow Aspinall to walk away? The heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions are arguably in disarray, undermining the divisions that have long been the backbone of the sport. How should the UFC address these frictions and restore stability? What paths would you pursue if you were in charge? Share your perspective in the comments.
