Overview
- On Wednesday, August 26, Aspinall posted a clear statement on social media saying “I’m not leaving the UFC” and that he and the promotion are “talking with the UFC daily.”
- The exit rumor began after Aspinall’s boxing coach Stipe Drvis claimed on an Instagram Live that the champion would never fight in the UFC again, prompting Aspinall to correct the record.
- Aspinall has undergone multiple eye surgeries after the October no-contest with Ciryl Gane and was reported medically cleared to resume training in July 2026, but he has not been given a return date or opponent.
- His March 5, 2026 signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency has been cited across coverage as a complicating factor in talks with UFC leadership and could affect contract and matchmaking negotiations.
- Ciryl Gane won the interim heavyweight title in June 2026, creating immediate pressure for a unification rematch that remains likely but dependent on Aspinall’s health and the outcome of ongoing talks with the UFC.