UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will remain with the promotion, despite recent comments from one of his striking coaches suggesting that he would not fight under the UFC banner again.
Aspinall was forced to address the speculation earlier this week, clarifying that he has no plans to leave the UFC.
The comments came after one of Aspinall’s striking coaches claimed during a podcast appearance that the heavyweight champion would not be fighting for the UFC again.
Aspinall has not competed since suffering a serious eye injury in what was scheduled to be his first heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025.
UFC CEO Dana White was asked about Aspinall’s status during an interview this week with Spinnin Backfist and dismissed any suggestion that the champion could be leaving the promotion.
“Yeah, (he’ll be back) whenever he's healthy. He's not going anywhere. He's with us,” White said. “And, you know, we're good with Tom Aspinall.”
White also admitted that he was unaware of the comments made by Aspinall’s coach.
“I didn't know that. I didn't know his striking coach had said that,” White said. “But obviously, that's not true. And sounds like Tom clarified that.”
The UFC boss reiterated that the door remains open for Aspinall to return once he has recovered from his injury and is ready to compete.
“But yeah, we're good. When he's healthy and ready to fight, he'll fight,” White added.
