Cortes-Acosta calls Aspinall 'not a champion' over prolonged absence from UFC heavyweight division

Waldo Cortes-Acosta launched a pointed attack on Tom Aspinall’s standing as UFC heavyweight champion at the Noche UFC 4 media day, claiming the Englishman is deliberately avoiding a rematch with interim champion Ciryl Gane rather than returning from injury.

Aspinall’s first title defence ended in a no-contest in October 2025 after Gane simultaneously poked him in both eyes in the first round, leaving the Brit unable to continue. Aspinall has since undergone multiple eye procedures, and both UFC CEO Dana White and Aspinall’s advisor Eddie Hearn have confirmed his recovery is still ongoing.

Cortes-Acosta is unconvinced. “It’s frustrating to see the champion be like this,” he said. “He knows that he needs to come back and fight with Ciryl Gane. I think he had a long time to heal and come back and fight for the title. For me, this is not a champion. A champion needs to be a warrior in the ring. We don’t know where he’s at. He is hiding because he doesn’t want to fight Ciryl Gane.”

The criticism arrives with added context. Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title by stopping Alex Pereira in the second round at UFC Freedom 250, setting up a rematch with Aspinall as the logical next step for the division. With Aspinall’s return date still unclear, the heavyweight picture remains in limbo.

Cortes-Acosta (17-3) has his own significant business to attend to first. The Dominican heavyweight is scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes (19-6) in a pivotal divisional matchup at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona — a bout that could push him firmly into title contention should he win.