Tom Aspinall dismisses UFC departure rumours: 'I'm not leaving'

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall moved to quash circulating social media rumours on Wednesday, publishing a direct statement denying he has left the promotion or vacated his title.

“I’m not leaving the UFC,” Aspinall wrote. “I’ve never said I have in any interview and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true.”

Speculation around Aspinall’s future has grown since his title defence at UFC 321 last October ended in a no-contest. Facing challenger Ciryl Gane in his first undisputed championship bout following Jon Jones’s retirement, Aspinall was unable to continue after suffering repeated eye pokes. He was subsequently diagnosed with injuries to both eyes that have required multiple surgeries.

Despite providing regular health updates to fans and media, Aspinall and the UFC have yet to announce a timetable for his return to competition. The absence of a firm date appears to have fuelled speculation, with unverified claims spreading across social platforms suggesting his tenure with the promotion had ended.

Gane, meanwhile, holds an interim title won by defeating Alex Pereira at UFC White House and is waiting for a rematch with Aspinall once the champion is cleared to fight.

Aspinall urged fans to rely only on official sources for updates. “We are talking with the UFC daily and they will update you guys always,” he wrote, signalling that communication between his camp and the promotion remains active even as his recovery continues.