Overview
- UFC president Dana White said the organization will discuss asking Aspinall to vacate or possibly stripping him if his inactivity continues and that he plans to speak with the champion’s camp soon.
- Aspinall’s manager Eddie Hearn says the champion still needs additional ophthalmological testing and athletic-commission clearance before he can be declared fit to fight.
- Aspinall underwent multiple eye surgeries after suffering a double eye poke by Ciryl Gane in October 2025, and his extended recovery will put him roughly a year out of competition by late October.
- Ciryl Gane captured the interim heavyweight title by stopping Alex Pereira, leaving the UFC to decide between a unification bout if Aspinall returns or alternative title matchups if the champion vacates or is stripped.
- Athletic commissions must sign off on medical clearance, so the next steps hinge on further eye tests, commission approval, and negotiations between the UFC and Aspinall’s new management under Eddie Hearn.