Tom Aspinall Urged to Relinquish UFC Heavyweight Title by Former Two-Division Champion

Former bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has advised current UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall to give up his belt. Aspinall has been sidelined since an eye poke injury sustained in his no-contest bout against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that Aspinall requires further eye examinations before he can compete again.

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the heavyweight division will continue to progress while Aspinall is inactive. Cejudo expressed his opinion to MMAJunkie.com, suggesting that Aspinall should relinquish the title to focus on his recovery and allow other contenders to compete for the undisputed championship.

"Give up the title, bro," Cejudo stated. "Give up the title and let your eye recover and that’s it. Let the other dudes fight. Let the winner of Josh Hokit and Alex Pereira fight Ciryl Gane for the undisputed."

Ciryl Gane currently holds the interim heavyweight title, having defeated Alex Pereira by second-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250. While Pereira has expressed interest in a rematch, Cejudo believes it is not the most logical next step. He suggested that a bout between Josh Hokit and Alex Pereira would be more fitting, considering their existing storyline.

"It would be wrong for them to give (a title shot) to Pereira," Cejudo commented. "There’s a storyline there with Josh Hokit and Pereira. That’s the fight that needs to happen. But it’s the UFC, Paramount and the sport. They could make it happen, though. Is it deserving? No. I think Ciryl Gane would really put the lights out again in a similar fashion because he’s a bigger guy with lateral movement and motions. Pereira can hit, but you don’t have that heavyweight thump. It’s different. But I think Pereira probably doesn’t want to go against a guy like Josh Hokit. He has a big mouth and uses his wrestling. You saw what he did to Derrick Lewis. You already know this guy is good."

With Aspinall's return uncertain, the UFC's plans for the heavyweight division remain to be seen. Many fans and analysts have questioned the necessity of a second fight between Gane and Pereira following their decisive previous encounter. Updates on the heavyweight title picture will be provided as they become available.