Tom Aspinall is currently the most frustrated man in the heavyweight division. Honestly, it’s hard to blame him. After spending what felt like an eternity in "interim" purgatory waiting for a crack at Jon Jones, Aspinall finally got his hands on the undisputed belt when Jones retired in the summer of 2025. But his first defense at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi turned into a total disaster.
One eye poke. That was all it took.
The October 2025 clash with Ciryl Gane was supposed to be the moment Aspinall proved he was the true king. Instead, an accidental finger to the eye late in the first round left the champion unable to see and the fans in the Etihad Arena booing a "No Contest" result. Now, everyone is asking the same thing: when is the Tom Aspinall next fight happening, and is it definitely going to be the rematch?
The Current State of Aspinall’s Eye and Return Timeline
Right now, Tom is recovering from surgery. It wasn't just a simple scratch; reports from early January 2026 indicate he’s had to undergo procedures to ensure no long-term vision damage. He’s not even back in full training yet. You've probably seen him on social media looking a bit grumpy about the situation. He basically wants to get back in the gym yesterday, but the doctors are holding the red light.
We are looking at a likely return in the second half of 2026.
The UFC hasn't put a date on it, but the summer or autumn seems realistic. Aspinall himself has been vocal about his plans. He isn't looking for a new challenger. He wants to "beat the living daylights" out of Ciryl Gane to erase the memory of that weird, unfinished night in Abu Dhabi. It's a matter of pride at this point.
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Why the Ciryl Gane Rematch is the Only Move
Before the eye poke, the fight was actually getting really interesting. Gane looked sharp. His movement was giving Aspinall some trouble, and he even landed a few stiff jabs that bloodied the champ's nose.
Because the fight ended at 4:35 of the very first round, we never got to see how Aspinall’s grappling would hold up over 25 minutes against the Frenchman. The "No Contest" leaves a massive question mark over the heavyweight rankings. Dana White and the UFC brass generally hate unfinished business, especially when it involves the undisputed title.
- Unfinished Business: Both fighters feel robbed of a definitive result.
- Rankings Stalemate: Gane is the clear #1 contender after the way he performed in those four minutes.
- Fan Demand: Despite the boos in Abu Dhabi, the matchup is still the highest-level technical fight you can make at heavyweight.
What About the Jon Jones "White House" Rumors?
This is where things get kinda weird. Even though Jon Jones retired and was the one who initially held up the division, he’s been teasing a comeback for a rumored UFC event at the White House in 2026.
Aspinall has zero interest.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani recently, Tom basically called the idea "false hope." He’s tired of chasing a ghost. He spent over a year waiting for Jones while he held the interim belt, and he’s clearly decided that his legacy won't be defined by a man who won't sign the contract. If Jones actually returns, he might face Alex Pereira in a "superfight," but Aspinall is focused on the active roster.
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The Rest of the Heavyweight Shark Tank
While Aspinall heals up, the rest of the division isn't standing still. Alexander Volkov is lurking in the shadows after a split decision win over Jailton Almeida. Then you've got Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who has been surprisingly active and is set to face Derrick Lewis at UFC 324.
If Aspinall's recovery takes longer than expected, the UFC might get itchy. We’ve seen them create interim belts for less. However, since Aspinall is the undisputed champ and the injury happened during a title defense, they'll likely give him the grace period he needs.
Heavyweight Contender Status (Early 2026)
The landscape is shifting. Volkov is currently the dark horse. He’s on a quiet tear and has developed a much more well-rounded game. If the Gane rematch somehow falls through—maybe Gane takes another fight and loses—Volkov is the logical next man up.
There's also the Olympic factor. Gable Steveson is rumored to be making his debut sometime in 2026. While he’s nowhere near a title shot yet, his arrival adds a lot of pressure to the top five to stay active and dominant.
How Aspinall Wins the Rematch
For the Tom Aspinall next fight to end differently, he has to adjust to Gane’s speed. In those first few minutes at UFC 321, Gane’s lateral movement was elite. Tom was stalking him, but he was eating jabs for his effort.
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The path to victory for Aspinall is clearly on the ground. We know Gane has struggled with high-level wrestling in the past (the Francis Ngannou fight being the prime example). Tom has some of the fastest takedowns in the history of the heavyweight division. He needs to stop head-hunting and start mixing in the clinches and level changes earlier.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following Aspinall’s trajectory, keep an eye on these specific triggers over the next few months:
- Medical Clearance News: Once Aspinall is cleared for "full contact" training, expect an announcement within 4 weeks.
- UFC UK Rumors: The UFC loves putting Aspinall on home soil. If a London or Manchester card is announced for late 2026, he is the 99% guaranteed main event.
- Gane’s Activity: If Gane accepts another fight in the meantime, it’s a huge risk for him. If he loses, Aspinall likely moves on to Volkov.
Tom Aspinall remains the most dangerous heavyweight on the planet, but his biggest opponent right now is his own healing process. The goal for 2026 is simple: get the eyes right, get the Gane rematch booked, and finally have a "normal" title reign without the shadow of retired legends or accidental fouls hanging over his head.
Stay tuned to official UFC injury reports and Aspinall's personal YouTube channel, as he usually breaks his own news there before the major outlets get a whiff of it.