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Dana White pessimistic about Tom Aspinall returning in 2026: 'Just keep rolling'

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Dana White pessimistic about Tom Aspinall returning in 2026: 'Just keep rolling'

UFC CEO Dana White isn't confident in Tom Aspinall returning to the Octagon anytime soon as he recovers from his eye injuries.

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains sidelined after multiple eye injuries suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last year. Just minutes into their UFC 321 title fight, multiple accidental eye pokes from Gane led to the fight being ruled a no contest, as Aspinall retained his heavyweight title in an undesirable fashion.

As of this writing, Aspinall remains sidelined after undergoing multiple eye surgeries to repair his vision in both eyes. During his hiatus, Gane won the interim heavyweight title by finishing former two-division champ Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Immediately after UFC 321, Aspinall expressed disdain for how UFC CEO Dana White responded to his injuries against Gane. White later went on to clarify that he felt that Aspinall wasn't taking the easy way out, and wished him well with his recovery.

Almost a year removed from UFC 321, Aspinall added Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn to his management team, one of White's biggest enemies in boxing. With no known timetable for Aspinall to be medically cleared to fight, White is prepared to keep the heavyweight division moving.

Dana White mum on Tom Aspinall's UFC future as heavyweight division ‘keeps rolling'

During a recent post-fight press conference, White was asked about Aspinall's future and an update on his UFC return.

“Tom Aspinall is hurt. Until we hear differently, the heavyweight division will just keep rolling,†White said of Aspinall. (h/t MMA Junkie)

White didn't specify whether or not Gane will fight another opponent during Aspinall's absence, or if Gane will wait it out for Aspinall to return.

Aspinall's ongoing hiatus adds to what's been a rocky last few years in the UFC heavyweight division. After Jon Jones' abrupt 2025 retirement and Aspinall's promotion to undisputed champ, the division has lacked continuity in 2026.

Should the UFC strip Tom Aspinall of his title? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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MMA

Morning Report: Dana White shoots down $10M Misfits Boxing rumor, tells Eddie Hearn to meet in gym ‘and we can f*cking do it’

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Morning Report: Dana White shoots down $10M Misfits Boxing rumor, tells Eddie Hearn to meet in gym ‘and we can f*cking do it’

UFC 334 goes down this Saturday with two pretty damn intriguing title fights.

In the main event, undisputed* heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane goes for his first defense against, yes, one of the most talked-about fighters of 2026, the undefeated Josh Hokit. Folks, there’s a well-above zero chance that Hokit closes out the year as the UFC’s heavyweight king. Wowza.

Then you have the bantamweight matchup of destiny between champion Kayla Harrison and the GOAT herself Amanda Nunes. Where these two legends and the division go after UFC 334 is anybody’s guess, but this fight had to happen and it’s finally going down in Madison Square Garden.

So what’s your level of excitement as we kick off fight week?

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MMA

Andre Galvao says rules changed after he accepted Rousimar Palhares rematch

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Andre Galvao says rules changed after he accepted Rousimar Palhares rematch
Andre
Galvao is embracing a daunting challenge as he prepares to face
Rousimar
“Toquinho†Palhares at ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13 in Rio de
Janeiro.

The Brazilian grappler will face Palhares in a rematch of their
2011 ADCC final, this time under rules that permit strikes to the
body.

Andre Galvao prepares for Rousimar Palhares at ACBJJ 23 under
rules allowing body strikes

Galvao, 44, told Sherdog that a renewed desire to compete and an
attractive offer from the promotion prompted his return. He
initially expected the rematch to follow the rules of their
previous encounter, but the format changed as plans developed.

“First they got my yes, then came the surprises,†Galvao said.
“Later on they told me it would be up to 100kg (220 pounds); then
that it would be nine minutes of fighting instead of seven; and
finally they informed me that punches and kicks would be
allowed.â€

The prospect of facing Palhares under those conditions concerned
some of Galvao's friends and students. However, the Atos Jiu-Jitsu
leader believes his MMA experience has prepared him for the
challenge.

“Several friends came to me and said, ‘You're crazy, coming back
right away against Toquinho and with strikes allowed?'†Galvao
recalled. “The fact is that since I built my career more in
Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling, the youngsters forget that I've already
had seven MMA fights, and during that period I was training with
champions like Anderson, Rafael Feijão and Ronaldo Jacare, so
taking punches isn't exactly something that scares me that
much.â€

Galvao nevertheless recognizes the threat Palhares poses.

“Toquinho is a monster, he's incredibly strong. I joke that I'm
prepared to face a monster on Friday the 13th,†Galvao said. “That
fight of ours in the ADCC final in London in 2011 is still
considered one of the best in history. I'm sure we're going to put
on another great fight and make history again.â€

Galvao won their first meeting 9-4 in the under-88-kilogram ADCC
final in Nottingham, England. Their rematch will headline ACBJJ 23
at Farmasi Arena.

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Johnny Walker wanted to take it slow at heavyweight, then UFC called

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Johnny Walker wanted to take it slow at heavyweight, then UFC called
Johnny
Walker's heavyweight run is going faster than he planned.

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweights Sean Brady
and Gabriel
Bonfim were originally scheduled to headline
UFC Vegas 124 on Nov. 7 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. However,
Brady pulled out because of a severe staph infection and the
promotion didn't book a replacement to keep Bonfim on the card.
Walker then accepted the headlining matchup against Waldo
Cortes-Acosta on nine days' notice.

What a victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta could mean for Johnny
Walker

Walker (23-10, 1 NC) made his heavyweight debut against Mick Parkin
in October, scoring a bonus-winning first-round knockout. The
former light heavyweight recently revealed he originally wanted to
take things slow in his new weight class.

“I was thinking to take small steps and go slow in the division,â€
Walker said at media day ahead of UFC Vegas 124. “See how I feel at
heavyweight. That was my plan. God had different plans than me. God
has better plans for me.â€

Cortes-Acosta (17-4) was riding a three-fight win streak before
losing to Alexander
Volkov and Curtis
Blaydes this year. A win over “Salsa Boy†will launch Walker
into the heavyweight Top 10 in just his second appearance in the
division.

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