This comes after Aspinall vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title amid ongoing
complications from an eye injury that prevented him from returning
to competition. He has also linked up with Eddie Hearn, who has
repeatedly criticized aspects of Aspinall's contract and the UFC
model.

The UFC boss explains why fans may have gotten the wrong idea
about Tom Aspinall

Speaking after UFC
331, White dismissed suggestions that he has a personal issue
with the former champion. He acknowledged Aspinall's injury and
revealed that the Brit is seeking further medical advice.

“No, that's not the case,†White said at the post-fight presser.
“It's the furthest thing from the truth. He's going through stuff
with the doctor. He knows it's going to be a while before he comes
back. This is totally normal.â€

White claims that certain misunderstood comments and reactions may
have created the impression that the two don’t get along.

“I think because of what I might have said or what he might have
responded to, what I said after the thing, that people think that I
don't like Tom,†White added. “It's the furthest thing from the
truth. I have no reason to not like Tom. Tom's never done anything
for me not to like him.â€

White emphasized that if he doesn't like someone, it'll be clear to
all.

Tsarukyan extended his win streak to six straight and further
solidified his No.1 contender status at UFC
331 in Los Angeles with a first-round knockout win over
Mauricio
Ruffy. White praised the top-ranked lightweight at the
post-fight presser, lauding his Octagon return.

Arman Tsarukyan's knockout of Mauricio Ruffy earns major praise
from the UFC CEO

Tensions between Tsarukyan and White sparked after the former
pulled out of his lightweight title fight against Islam
Makhachev the night before weigh-ins. He later drew more
criticism from the UFC CEO for scuffles with fans and other
fighters.

White acknowledged that Tsarukyan's relationship with the UFC had
soured amidst the aforementioned events, but “The Batman†has
turned his standing with the company around.

“I've been vocal that I wasn't crazy about some of the stuff that
he'd done,†White said. “But you know what, when you f*ck up, then
you come back and you do everything the right way. I mean, he
couldn't have had a better comeback after, you know, the things
that he had done that I wasn't thrilled about.â€

White admitted that he initially believed the fight was heading in
Ruffy's favor before the elbow knockout, which earned Performance
of the Night honors.

“And then to go in and perform the way that he performed tonight,â€
White added. “At the end of that round, I was like, oh sh*t, man,
he's in for a rough night. And then boom, the elbow.
Incredible.â€

Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

Costa has one fight left on his current deal and has been accusing
the UFC of stalling his last matchup. “Borrachinha†claims the last
bout on his contract should be a three-rounder, but reiterated that
he's willing to accept a five-rounder if he's compensated
accordingly.

Paulo Costa says UFC can book his final fight, raise his pay or
release him

Costa took to social media to lay out his and the UFC's options for
his last fight. He called out promotional exec Hunter Campbell,
claiming that he's willing to fight any light heavyweight on the
roster in a three-rounder and that he'll gladly accept a five-round
bout if given at least six weeks' notice and additional pay.

“OK, I'm making this public and clear: I have 1 fight left,†Costa
wrote on X. “On my contract, the purse is set for 3 rounds, not 5.
I'm asking for the 3-round fight that was already agreed on
contract. It can be anyone on the UFC LHW roster. I think Hunter
has 3 options now: A) Give me that last 3-round fight (I'll take
any opponent). B) Give me a 5-round fight at LHW against anyone in
6 weeks. I'll take it, BUT raise my purse accordingly. That's the
minimum that's fair, right? C) Release me from my contract now.
Simple and clean. I hope everyone understands. 9-18-26 Las Vegas,
Nevada Sincerely, Paulo Costa.â€

Costa (16-4) is coming off back-to-back finishes against Roman
Kopylov and Azamat
Murzakanov. He previously campaigned for an interim title fight
for UFC
332, but later revealed the promotion wasn't interested.