Tom Aspinall Releases Statement Following Rumors He Is Leaving The UFC
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has dismissed rumors that he is planning to leave the promotion, insisting the two sides remain in regular talks.
Speculation surrounding Aspinall’s future followed comments attributed to his longtime boxing coach Stipe Drvis during an Instagram Live. Drvis reportedly suggested Aspinall no longer wanted to fight in the UFC, although Aspinall quickly denied the claim.
Aspinall addressed the situation with a firm statement:
“I’m not leaving the UFC. I’ve never said I have in any interview, and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true. We are talking with the UFC daily, and they will update you guys always.”
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) August 26, 2026
Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC) has been sidelined since his title defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest following accidental eye pokes at UFC 321. He has since undergone multiple eye surgeries while working toward a return.
Gane has since captured the interim heavyweight championship, setting up a potential rematch and title-unification fight with Aspinall once the champion is cleared to return.