Cejudo calls on Aspinall to vacate UFC heavyweight title as year-long absence nears

Henry Cejudo has publicly called for Tom Aspinall to relinquish the UFC heavyweight title, arguing the champion’s near-year-long absence from competition has made his position untenable.

“I think Tom Aspinall needs to vacate or be stripped at this point,” Cejudo said on his Pound-4-Pound podcast. “As a champion, if you’re hurt and you’re unwilling to compete, vacate the belt, let somebody be called undisputed until you’re actually back.”

Aspinall has not fought since October 2024, when a pair of eye pokes from Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 left him unable to continue, with the heavyweight title fight ruled a no-contest. The Briton subsequently underwent eye surgery and has been recovering since, with no confirmed return date.

The situation is further complicated by Aspinall’s management setup. He is represented by Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who has been in a public dispute with UFC CEO Dana White — including describing Aspinall’s UFC contract as “a f*cking disgrace.” Cejudo believes that friction is working against the champion rather than for him.

“Eddie Hearn does not help Tom Aspinall,” Cejudo said. “He’s got no leverage. Time’s almost up. There’s no negotiations, especially when you’re poking the bear. Dana White’s the bear. You’re f*cking with the boss. If you’re doing that, it’s not good business to have Dana White as your enemy.”

Aspinall’s path to undisputed champion was a lengthy one. He suffered a serious knee injury against Curtis Blaydes in July 2022, spent a year on the sidelines, and then spent much of the following period waiting for a fight with Jon Jones that never materialised. When Jones retired, Aspinall was elevated to undisputed status — only for his first title defence to end in the controversial no-contest with Gane.

Cejudo acknowledged that other UFC champions, including current bantamweight titleholder Kayla Harrison, have gone a year without competing without losing their belts. But he doubts the promotion will extend the same patience to Aspinall given the tensions surrounding his management.

“Once that year is up, you’re done,” Cejudo said. “They’re telling you, ‘You’re getting stripped, or you’re going to vacate. Which one do you want? Do you want to come out with your words, where it sounds a little better?’”