Tom Aspinall announced on Monday that he was vacating his UFC heavyweight title after suffering a setback in his recovery following multiple surgeries to repair damage done to his eyes following a fight against Ciryl Gane back in 2025.
MMA
Matt Brown argues Tom Aspinall vacating heavyweight title creates more problems than it solves
Published
2 hours agoon
It's a heartbreaking turn of events for Aspinall after he waited so long to become undisputed champion —while also trying to fight Jon Jones to for that title — but now he's out of action for an undetermined amount of time and the UFC has to figure out what to do with the heavyweight title. Technically, Ciryl Gane could easily just get promoted to undisputed champion after he defeated Alex Pereira at the UFC White House card to claim the interim belt but that doesn't solve the bigger problem when it comes to the overall heavyweight division.
Following his loss to Gane in June, Pereira went on the offensive claiming referee Herb Dean was partially to blame for his downfall after he failed to penalize Gane for illegal shots to the back of the head. Pereira has continued to call for a rematch and now it seems like he might actually get his wish but is that what's best for the Brazilian and the rest of the division?
“I think the downside of that fight – if Alex goes out and loses again, what does that do to his stock?†retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown said on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “I know what he did at [middleweight and light heavyweight], it was amazing stuff. That shit's in the past. You're a heavyweight now.
“You lose twice, you're not fighting Tom Aspinall when Tom Aspinall comes back. I don't know what that does to his future of big fights. I don't know what big fights you make after that. That's what I mean by his stock. Everyone is going to respect Alex Pereira the same but what do “
There's little argument that Pereira is the biggest name at heavyweight right now as he already commands superstar status whenever he competes. If he can go out and avenge that past loss to Gane and become undisputed heavyweight champion, it's a history making moment for Pereira because he would be the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles across three divisions.
But the flipside to that result is Gane knocks out Pereira again and now one of the UFC's most popular fighters is stuck in limbo and the heavyweight diviiosn still doesn't look that much better in his absence.
“Maybe he beats Ciryl the next time. I would pick Ciryl to win, I picked him the first time but that's where it starts to hurt his stock at that point,†Brown said. “Guys can be resistant to that when you're Conor [McGregor level superstar] or Ilia [Topuria] or maybe even Alex but with him being 39 and you've got the other potentials in the division like [Josh Hokit] or Gable Steveson, if he loses that fight, the future doesn't look quite as bright for him as it's looked in the past.â€
While Gable Steveson is just starting out his UFC career, he's obviously got the potential to rescue the heavyweight division thanks to his wrestling pedigree where he's an Olympic gold medalist but he's probably still years away from compting for the belt.
The other option is the always outspoken Josh Hokit, who is undefeated and certainly not afraid to call his shot whenever he fights. The problem with Hokit is his outlandish behavior isn't exactly attractive for most fans and it's unclear if the powers-that-be at the UFC want to put a title around his waist.
Add to that, Brown acknowledges that Hokit's style could be a serious problem for anybody else at heavyweight including Gane and Pereira.
“Hokit's not a great matchup for [Pereira],†Brown said. “I'm sorry. I think it's a winnable fight for Alex and if Alex is able to win that fight, I think that's phenomenal win. It's going to get a lot of eyeballs, a lot of people would loves to see Hokit get knocked out.
“I think it would bring a lot more attention to Alex so it probably would be the fight to make. But that's not a bright future. If you lose to Ciryl Gane and then you're fighting Josh Hokit, that's not a great situation to be in.â€
As of now, the UFC hasn't made any announcements regarding the future of the heavyweight division with Aspinall vacating the belt and taking time off to recover from his eye injury.
It's impossible to know for sure what UFC CEO Dana White is going to decide but Brown knows the options are limited and not all that appealing right now.
“It sucks for Tom Aspinall,†Brown said. “It sucks for the UFC. It sucks for the fans. It just sucks for everyone involved.â€
Listen to new episodes of The Fighter vs. The Writer every Tuesday with audio only versions of the podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio
You may like
MMA
Morning Report | Ryan Garcia was ‘disappointed’ Oscar De La Hoya didn’t show up for his fight with Conor Benn
Published
3 hours agoon
September 15, 2026
Ryan Garcia knows that certain people didn't want Oscar De La Hoya at his fight, but he still would have liked him to show up.
This past weekend, Garcia squared off with Conor Benn in a highly-publicized fight, stopping Benn inside of two rounds. The fight was a co-promotion between Zuffa Boxing and De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, and given the long history of bad blood between De La Hoya and Dana White, many wondered how things would go with the two of them there together. But we never found out because De La Hoya did not attend the event.
Afterward, a report emerged claiming that De La Hoya was denied a credential, something White denied outright. But whether or not De La Hoya was allowed to attend, Garcia acknowledges that he originally intended to walk out with his promoter, before realizing that De La Hoya was not wanted, even if he was allowed in.
“In the beginning, it was Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. that was going to walk out with me, and I wanted to get, maybe Oscar right there,†Garcia told Ariel Helwani. “I think that would be iconic. Honestly, nobody wanted him there, and that's the god honest truth.â€
When asked to clarify who “nobody†was, Garcia chose not to give a direct answer, saying only, “You know who I mean,†and stating that he ultimately chose not to have De La Hoya with him because of this, but also saying he was still disappointed that his promoter did not come anyway.
“Sometimes you've got to pick your battles,†Garcia said. “That's not a battle I really wanted to pick. I'll say this though, I wish Oscar was there, I wish he would have walked out with me, and I wish he would have been ringside no matter what. That would have showed his love for me, the way I'd imagine somebody who has been with me the whole time to do.
“OK, that don't want to let you walk out, they did have a seat for you though, and you didn't take that seat. I don't respect that and that disappointed me.â€
Per boxing reporter Dan Rafael, De La Hoya did have a ticket to the event provided, but not where he was was contractually supposed to be seated and would have had to walk through the crowd to attend.
Garcia also added that he hasn't heard from De La Hoya since the event, which also bothered him.
“I don't know why he's like that,†Garcia said. “He just doesn't want to show up for the people he's supposed to love. I don't know. He's weird, bruh. He's missing a part of himself. I don't know what it is. I started my career with him, I looked up to him, and just for him to let his emotions get like that is really disappointing. Where's your maturity? Something's off. He's living in the past. It's weird.
“I didn't care for him to be a part [of fight week],†Garcia concluded. “But how special would it have been, he's not there at all and then shows up on my walkout?â€
Garcia has been signed to Golden Boy Promotions since 2016, with De La Hoya promoting him for almost the entirety of his career. However, the last few years have been strained between the two, with Garcia even making a point to mention that this was the final fight on his current contract with Golden Boy.
Ki. Scott Coker reveals new name for MMA organization, launch plans and details for Grand Prix in 2027.
Vacated. Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title: ‘Absolute nightmare.'
Response. Josh Hokit responds to Tom Aspinall vacating UFC title: ‘I'll give Ciryl what he has coming.'
Statement. Conor Benn releases first statement since knockout loss to Ryan Garcia.
Injuries. Jean Silva reveals injuries suffered before Noche UFC win, denies slapping Jose Delgado after fight.
Out. Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega scrapped from UFC 331; Moicano gets moved to new card.
Cooking with Volk — during a weight cut!
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Not gonna lie, something like this gives me even less confidence in this project.
But like, that one on the right is a sick fight poster.
It is simply way too easy to trigger Jon Jones.
Jon Jones he also spent a portion of the night big upping some very angry comments about Tom Aspinall. But he's definitely not mad. Don't put it in the paper that he's mad.
Renato Moicano (21-7-1) vs. Tom Nolan (11-1); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 31.
Mailbag! Send in your questions!
It’s that time of the week. Do you have questions? Send them here and I’ll answer them, either in the responses or in the weekly mailbag column.
Thanks! Love y’all!

I dunno man, on the one hand, technically nothing Ryan Garcia said was wrong. On the other hand, the way he said it makes me think he's not exactly speaking entirely in good faith there.
“They didn't want him there, I didn't want him part of Fight Week, and I changed my mind about him walking me out, but like, why didn't he show up?†Especially if the Rafael reporting is legit and they just got Oscar a seat in the crowd. Garcia seems almost certain to be signing with Zuffa, so you're going just to be disrespected and humiliated? I'd probably pass too.
Then again, it's Oscar. It's also entirely possible his reason for not attending is something much worse.
Not any heroes in this particular story.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and like us on Facebook.
MMA
Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, 32-fighter global grand prix format
Published
5 hours agoon
September 15, 2026
Scott Coker has officially unveiled the name and format of his new
mixed martial arts promotion.
Ki MMA will launch in the first quarter of 2027 under Coker and
Peter Y. Levin, with events planned across North America, Europe,
Asia and South America. The organization had previously announced
plans for a new global league backed by Coker, with a tournament
format central to the project.
Scott Coker and Peter Y. Levin detail Ki MMA’s 2027 launch and
World Grand Prix
Coker and Levin shared the details about the new promotion via a
press release. The inaugural Ki MMA World Grand Prix will feature
32 featherweights divided into four eight-man continental
tournaments. Each regional tournament will use a single-elimination
format, with the four continental champions advancing to a
one-night World Grand Prix Final.
The final event will feature two semifinals followed by the
championship bout, so the inaugural Ki MMA champion will need to
win five fights.
“We're giving fighters across four continents a clear path to
becoming our first World Grand Prix champion,†Coker said. “We want
to build stars while staying true to the discipline, character and
respect that drew us to martial arts in the first place.â€
Additionally, Ki MMA will feature “Super Fights†involving
established fighters, along with additional bouts across multiple
weight classes. All fights will take place inside a ring.
“We're building Ki MMA for the long term, with the resources, team,
and discipline to grow responsibly,†Levin added.
32 FIGHTERS. 4 CONTINENTS. 1 DIVISION.
pic.twitter.com/9dSH69o2bk— Ki MMA (@ki_mmaofficial)
September 14, 2026
MMA
Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues
Published
7 hours agoon
September 15, 2026
Aspinall has vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title due to ongoing
complications from an eye injury that has sidelined him for nearly
a year.
Aspinall hasn't competed since his bout against Ciryl Gane
ended in a no contest last October. Gane accidentally poked him in
both eyes and the Brit subsequently underwent multiple eye
procedures. He still hasn’t received medical clearance to return to
the Octagon and has opted to relinquish the championship.
Tom Aspinall explains why he relinquished the UFC heavyweight
championship
Aspinall took to Instagram to share a lengthy message announcing
his decision to vacate the title amid recent complications with his
right eye. The former champion revealed that he had previously
agreed to a fight date and resumed sparring before an accident
caused further damage.
“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,†Aspinall wrote on Instagram. “Ongoing
complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to
fight right now. I've had multiple surgeries, accidents, and
infections, and done everything possible to get back to
competing.â€
Rather than further stalling the heavyweight division, Aspinall has
opted to give up his belt.
“I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title,â€
Aspinall added. “I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this
statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up.
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.â€
Aspinall also clarified in his post that he isn't walking away from
the sport and looks forward to returning to action.
“I'll be back as soon as I'm medically able to be,†Aspinall wrote.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this
absolute nightmare.â€
Matt Brown argues Tom Aspinall vacating heavyweight title creates more problems than it solves
Morning Report | Ryan Garcia was ‘disappointed’ Oscar De La Hoya didn’t show up for his fight with Conor Benn
Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, 32-fighter global grand prix format
Matt Brown argues Tom Aspinall vacating heavyweight title creates more problems than it solves
Morning Report | Ryan Garcia was ‘disappointed’ Oscar De La Hoya didn’t show up for his fight with Conor Benn
Scott Coker unveils Ki MMA, 32-fighter global grand prix format
Trending
-
MMA2 days agoCoach defends Ian Machado Garry for hugging Islam Makhachev at UFC 330, confident in rematch: ‘We’re going to have that belt next year’
-
MMA2 days agoArman Tsarukyan in do-or-die situation at UFC 331: ‘If I lose this fight, I’m never going to see a title fight’
-
MMA2 days agoConor McGregor criticizes Max Holloway for showing mercy in UFC 329 disaster: "Finish the f*cking fight"
-
MMA2 days agoJean Silva reveals has no memory of loss to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC last year
-
Boxing2 days agoConor Benn Knocked Out: Another Eubank Pay Day Awaits
-
MMA2 days agoArman Tsarukyan admits he may never get title shot if he loses UFC 331 bout against Mauricio Ruffy
-
MMA1 day agoTommy McMillen says UFC rival was pleading for respect after war
-
MMA2 days agoIan Machado Garry's coach sticks up for fighter amid hugging criticism: "There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it"


