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Tom Aspinall releases statement refuting UFC departure rumors: ‘I’m not leaving’

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3 weeks ago

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Tom Aspinall releases statement refuting UFC departure rumors: ‘I’m not leaving’

Tom Aspinall is here to stay.

The UFC heavyweight champion released a statement Wednesday affirming his standing with the promotion, apparently reacting to social media rumors that he has relinquished his title and his time with the UFC has come to an end.

“I'm not leaving the UFC,†Aspinall wrote. “I've never said I have in any interview and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true.â€

See Aspinall's statement below.

Aspinall's status has been the cause of much speculation since his most recent fight at UFC 321 this past October. That event marked Aspinall's first title defense as undisputed champion following the retirement of Jon Jones, and he was favored to defeat challenger Ciryl Gane. Unfortunately for both fighters, the main event bout ended inconclusively, when Aspinall was on the receiving end of eye pokes that left him unable to continue. The result was a no-contest and Aspinall was later diagnosed with injuries to both eyes that have required multiple surgeries.

Though Aspinall has provided frequent updates to media and fans on his health, neither he nor the UFC have provided a timetable for his return. Gane currently waits in the wings for his rematch after winning an interim title by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC White House.

The lack of solid information has apparently opened the door to fake news circulating from random sources, much to Aspinall's chagrin. Until you hear from him or the UFC, Aspinall suggests not believing everything you read.

“We are talking with the UFC daily and they will update you guys always,†Aspinall wrote.

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MMA

Dana White hails greatest talent in DWCS history after 19-second KO

Published

54 minutes ago

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September 16, 2026

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Dana White hails 'greatest talent' in DWCS history after 19-second KO

Week 6 of
Dana White's Contender Series featured four new additions to
the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.

This brings the total number of contract winners in Season 10 of
DWCS to 28, the most ever at this stage of a season.

DWCS Season 10 Week 6 recap and contract winners

Tyshawn
Williams (9-0) and Antonio
Monteiro (18-6) started the action with a featherweight bout.
Williams earned a unanimous decision win after three rounds of
back-and-forth action. While UFC CEO Dana
White didn't see enough to grant Williams a UFC contract, he
invited the undefeated prospect for another DWCS opportunity.

“Tyshawn, I actually really liked your fight and I like you,†White
said. “You fought a tough guy with a lot of experience. If you're
up for it, what I would like to do is bring you back again. I
talked to Sean about it, like for you to come back and fight in the
Contender Series again.â€

Luis
Hernandez (8-0) took on Hugo
Guillon (7-2) in a middleweight tilt. Hernandez survived a
knockdown and a submission attempt in the second round to make
Guillon tap out just moments later. White gave the Miami-Dade
Sheriff's Office deputy a UFC contract for his come-from-behind
victory.

“Luis, I loved this fight,†White said. “Two dogs blasting each
other with big shots… Both of you guys were in trouble; you
overcame big punches, being tired, submission attempts, to get the
finish. Incredible fight. I absolutely loved it. Welcome to the
UFC.â€

Akbar Abdullaev scores 19-second knockout as four fighters earn
UFC contracts at DWCS Week 6

Akbar
Abdullaev (14-0) took on Ednilson
Barros Santos (14-8) in a lightweight matchup. Abdullaev lived
up to his hype, taking just 19 seconds to knock Santos out while
still on his feet. White believes the Kyrgyz prospect with a 100%
finishing rate might be the greatest in DWCS history.

“Akbar, I don't even know what to say to you,†White said. “That
punch sounded like a baseball bat. I'm gonna go out on a limb here
and I'm gonna call you possibly the greatest talent that has been
on this show in 10 years. I think that you are going to be a huge
superstar and a very big threat in this sport. I can't wait to see
you fight again. Welcome to the UFC.â€

Igor
Cavalcanti (14-2) took on Oscar
Ravello in a middleweight bout. Cavalcanti took just 98 seconds
to take Ravello to the ground and finish him with heavy
ground-and-pound.

“Igor, total and absolute violence,†White said. “Couldn't have
performed better against a very, very Revello. Congratulations,
welcome to the UFC.â€

Mayton
Perea took on Zevan Hunt
in the main event. Ecuador's Perea took just 45 seconds to knock
out the previously undefeated Hunt with a vicious volley of
punches.

“Mayton, you took out an undefeated guy in 45 seconds,†White said.
“Congratulations and welcome to the UFC.â€

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Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit

Published

4 hours ago

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September 16, 2026

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Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit
Jon
Jones has taken several digs at Tom
Aspinall after the Brit vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title.

Aspinall hasn't fought since his first title defense against
Ciryl
Gane ended in a no-contest after he suffered eye pokes to both
eyes in the first round. He vacated the belt of his own accord,
without any pressure from the UFC, and claimed he didn't want to
stall the division amid ongoing complications with his right eye.
Jones, however, has a different view of Aspinall's decision.

Jon Jones backs criticism of Tom Aspinall after the former UFC
heavyweight champion vacates his title

An X user recently speculated that Aspinall chose to vacate the
title because of how the first round of his clash with Gane played
out. The user claims Aspinall doesn't fancy his chances in a
rematch with the Frenchman, who currently holds the interim title.
Jones agreed with the user.

“My sentiments exactly,†Jones wrote on X.

Another X user opined that Aspinall was undeserving of the
undisputed heavyweight title to begin with, which also drew a
response from the former two-division champ.

“Ouch,†Jones commented in response to an X user taking a shot at
Aspinall's champion status.

The same X account also noted that Jones was fouled by Gane in
their heavyweight title fight but made quick work of “Bon Gaminâ€
soon after, unlike Aspinall.

“Dude you are on fire,†Jones posted after the X user brought up
his fight with Gane.



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MMA

DWCS Season 10, Week 6 results: Vicious 1 punch knockout leads 4 fighters being signed to UFC contracts

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 15, 2026

By

DWCS Season 10, Week 6 results: Vicious 1 punch knockout leads 4 fighters being signed to UFC contracts

There are four new fighters joining the UFC roster after an action-packed night of fights on The Contender Series.

UFC CEO Dana White named Mayton Perea, Igor Cavalcanti, Akbar Abdullaev and Luis Hernandez to receive UFC contracts. The fifth winner of the night Tyshawn Williams didn't get signed to the UFC but White told him he would get another shot on The Contender Series to see if he could secure that contract later this season.

White offered some incredible praise for Abdullaev calling him “the greatest talent that's ever been on this show†after he delivered an absolutely jaw-dropping one-punch knockout to end his fight in just 19 seconds.

All told, the UFC has now signed 28 fighters from The Contender Series this season.

Mayton Perea def. Zevan Hunt via TKO (punches) at 45 seconds, R1

There was no feeling out period in this fight as Perea was relentless from the jump after clipping Hunt and hurting him in the first exchange. Perea kept coming forward to set up his punches with Hunt just trying to survive. Perea dropped Hunt for a second time and then eventually a third time followed by a barrage of hammer fists that officially ended it.

Perea looked very impressive in his DWCS debut.

Igor Cavalcanti def. Oscar Ravello via TKO (strikes) at 1:38, R1

A straight right hand from Cavalcanti opened the fight as he put Ravello down in an early exchange. Cavalcanti followed him to the canvas and he just kept blasting away with punches looking for the finish, but to his credit he was smart not to overextend himself.

Cavalcanti was measured with his strikes as he kept chipping away with Ravello only able to roll and try to avoid the damage but he just couldn't escape the bad position on the ground. Cavalcanti was still punching away and Ravello was clearly stuck, which gave the referee no choice but to stop the fight.

Akbar Abdullaev def. Ednilson Santos via knockout (punch) at 19 seconds, R1

Akbar Abdullaev backed up all the hype surrounding his appearance on DWCS as the former ONE fighter uncorked a single right hand that absolutely blasted Santos and the Brazilian almost fell in slow motion as he face planted on the canvas.

The look at Dana White's face told the whole story as Abdullaev delivered an absolutely jaw-dropping one punch knockout.

Luis Hernandez def. Hugo Guillon via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01, R2

Hernandez was on the attack from the first second of the fight until the very last. He scored an early takedown but eventually Hernandez turned to his striking where he blasted Guillon with a nasty body kick. Hernandez also came back over the top with a well-timed overhand punch that rattled Guillon as well.

Hernandez stayed aggressive going into round two but that almost cost him as he got clipped with a stiff knee up the middle and Guillon nearly locked on a D'arce choke. Instead, Hernandez escaped and he grabbed onto a rear-naked choke that earned him the tap and he got the victory.

Tyshawn Williams def. Antonio Monteiro via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

A former college wrestler, Tyshawn Williams was attacking with his grappling early and often. He scored numerous takedowns but that also gassed Williams out badly. Still Williams mainly stayed in control with Monteiro doing his best to get back to his feet.

With time running out, Williams kept dragging Monteiro to the canvas and the Brazilian just couldn't break free from his grip as time ran out to make any kind of comeback. The judges agreed and Williams earned the unanimous decision victory.

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