Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title, uncertainty follows

Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight championship while recovering from eye injuries sustained during a fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Following Aspinall’s no contest against Gane due to an eye poke, Gane won the interim title at UFC Freedom 250 against Alex Pereira. Aspinall's lengthy recovery has left the division unsettled, with Gane likely to be promoted to full champion despite having previously failed to secure undisputed status. As the heavyweight shifts, fighters such as Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich remain in title contention, but the path forward remains convoluted. The UFC is expected to clarify the championship status soon.

• 4:51 PMCBS Sports — Where things stand in the heavyweight division after champion Tom Aspinall vacates title