Dana White dismisses Aspinall exit rumours as heavyweight champ nears return from injury

Dana White has firmly denied reports that UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is seeking to leave the organisation, telling media outlet Spinnin Backfist that the two parties remain on good terms and that Aspinall will fight again as soon as he is healthy.

The story broke earlier this week when Aspinall’s striking coach, Stipe Drvis, claimed during an Instagram live session that the British fighter no longer wanted to be part of the UFC — a claim Aspinall swiftly denied in a public statement. White, speaking to Spinnin Backfist, backed up his champion’s version of events.

“He’s not going anywhere. He’s with us, and we’re good with Tom Aspinall,” White said. “I didn’t know his striking coach had said that, but, obviously, that’s not true. And sounds like Tom clarified that. But yeah, we’re good. When he’s healthy and ready to fight, he’ll fight.”

Aspinall is approaching a year out of action. His last outing, against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October, ended in a no-contest, and he subsequently suffered an eye injury that has kept him sidelined since.

In Aspinall’s absence, Gane has moved to fill the void at the top of the heavyweight division. The Frenchman competed at UFC White House and knocked out Alex Pereira in the second round to claim the interim heavyweight title, setting up a potential undisputed unification bout with Aspinall once the champion is cleared to compete.

With the UFC’s schedule filling up, a rematch between Aspinall and Gane this year would likely fall at either UFC 334 in November or UFC 335 in December.

White was also asked whether Aspinall being represented by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn could complicate contract negotiations. The UFC president dismissed the concern, noting that welterweight Ian Machado Garry shares the same representation and recently fought Islam Makhachev without issue. “No, not at all,” White said of any potential barriers.