LAS VEGAS – UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's chances of a 2026 return might be bleak.
Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has been sidelined ever since getting poked in the eyes during his title fight vs. Ciryl Gane last October at UFC 321. Aspinall has since undergone several eye surgeries, and his manager, Eddie Hearn, recently said a return this year could be possible.
However, UFC CEO Dana White appears less hopeful.
"Tom Aspinall is hurt," White told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. "Until we hear differently, the heavyweight division will just keep rolling."
Aspinall assured that he's not leaving the UFC, but it appears he's yet to be cleared for competition. During Aspinall's absence, Gane (14-2 MMA, 11-2
UFC) finished Alex Pereira to claim the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Pereira (13-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) recently called for a rematch with Gane, citing the shots to the back of his head in the fight-ending sequence as the reason he lost.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White: UFC heavyweight division 'will just keep rolling' without Tom Aspinall
