Tom Aspinall Faces Scrutiny Amidst Lengthy UFC Absence

A prominent UFC heavyweight has voiced his opinion that Tom Aspinall needs to either compete or remain silent regarding his extended break from fighting.

Tom Aspinall, the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, is currently sidelined following multiple eye surgeries. These procedures were necessary due to an accidental eye poke sustained during his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last year, which resulted in a no contest just minutes into the bout.

Despite earlier hopes for a September return, Aspinall has not yet received medical clearance to compete. UFC CEO Dana White has indicated that the promotion may begin to move forward without Aspinall as champion if his absence continues.

Following Ciryl Gane's interim heavyweight title victory earlier this year, the prospects for a rematch between Aspinall and Gane remain unclear. In the interim, a leading heavyweight contender is expressing growing frustration over Aspinall's postponed comeback.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Criticizes Tom Aspinall's Long UFC Absence

During his pre-fight press conference for Noche UFC, Waldo Cortes-Acosta was questioned about whether the UFC should strip Aspinall of his heavyweight title.

"Yes, it's a lot of frustration to see the champion be like this," Cortes-Acosta stated regarding Aspinall. "He knows that he needs to come back and fight with Ciryl Gane. I think he’s got a problem, and I think he’ll have a long time to heal and come back to fight for the title, but this is not the champion. For me, this is not the champion."

"A champion is someone who has a problem, fixes it, and tries to come back, fights and is a warrior, not someone with a problem who hides. I don’t know where he is, trying to hide because he doesn’t want to fight Ciryl Gane."

Cortes-Acosta is not the only notable fighter expressing impatience with Aspinall and his situation. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo has also publicly urged Aspinall to vacate his heavyweight title to allow the division to progress.