The question of who is currently the ufc heavyweight champion used to have a very simple, one-word answer: Jones. But if you haven't been glued to the Octagon over the last year, you've missed a massive seismic shift in the division. As of early 2026, the man holding the undisputed gold is the pride of Manchester, Tom Aspinall.
It hasn't been a smooth ride, though. Honestly, the heavyweight title has felt a bit like a hot potato lately. We went from a long era of Jon Jones "holding" the belt while nursing injuries, to a sudden retirement, to Aspinall finally getting the "Interim" tag removed from his name.
The Promotion of Tom Aspinall
For a long time, fans were frustrated. Aspinall was the Interim champ, destroying everyone in his path (usually in under two minutes), while the legendary Jon Jones was sidelined. The "unification" fight everyone wanted never happened.
Everything changed in June 2025. During a post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White dropped the bombshell: Jon Jones had officially retired from MMA. Because Jones vacated the title, the UFC did the only logical thing and promoted Tom Aspinall to the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.
It was the moment British MMA fans had been waiting for. No more "interim" asterisks. No more waiting in the wings. Aspinall was the king.
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What Happened at UFC 321?
If you're looking at the current rankings and seeing a bit of a "frozen" status, there's a specific reason for that. In late 2025, Aspinall headed into his first defense of the undisputed title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. It was supposed to be a masterclass in technical striking.
Instead, it was a disaster.
Early in the first round, an accidental eye poke from Gane—actually, a double eye poke—sent Aspinall to the canvas. The ref stopped the fight, the doctors stepped in, and the champion literally couldn't see. The bout was ruled a No Contest.
The aftermath has been even tougher. Aspinall didn't just walk away with a scratched cornea; he was diagnosed with Brown's syndrome, a rare condition that messes with eye movement and vision. He had to undergo surgery and has been out of action ever since. So, while Aspinall is the champion, he’s currently a champion in recovery.
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The Heavyweight Landscape Right Now
Since the champ is on the shelf, the rest of the division is basically a shark tank. Here’s how the top of the mountain looks while Aspinall heals up:
- Tom Aspinall (Champion): Recovering from eye surgery. He’s already started the "no more Mr. Nice Guy" routine on social media, taking shots at Gane and anyone who thinks he's vulnerable.
- Ciryl Gane: The Frenchman is in a weird spot. He’s the number one contender, but fans are still pretty salty about how that last fight ended. He recently posted training clips looking sharp, but he’s essentially waiting for Aspinall to get cleared.
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta: This is the guy nobody saw coming. He fought five times in 2025 and ended the year with two brutal first-round KOs. He’s the dark horse of 2026.
- The Jon Jones Factor: Just when you thought he was gone, "Bones" has been teasing a comeback. He hasn't asked for Aspinall, though. He’s been eyeing a "superfight" with the light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira.
Why It’s Not Just About the Belt
Being the UFC Heavyweight Champion is about more than just the physical strap. It's about being the "Baddest Man on the Planet." Aspinall has the stats to back it up—he has the shortest average fight time in UFC history. Basically, if you blink, you're going to miss him finishing someone.
But the "No Contest" against Gane left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. Some critics, including a very vocal Jon Jones on the "No Scripts" podcast, have called Aspinall a "one-trick pony." They claim his wrestling is overrated and that he took the easy way out with the eye injury.
It's a harsh take. Aspinall is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has finished opponents on the ground and on the feet. The 2026 heavyweight story is really about whether he can return from this injury and prove the haters wrong.
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What’s Next for the Heavyweights?
If you're wondering when we'll see the title on the line again, keep an eye on the second half of 2026. Aspinall is expected to return to full training soon. A rematch with Ciryl Gane seems inevitable, mostly because both guys want to settle the "No Contest" drama.
In the meantime, the UFC is keeping the division moving with some massive fights. We’ve got Derrick Lewis taking on Waldo Cortes-Acosta later this month, which should determine who the next true title challenger is.
Your Move:
If you want to keep up with the ever-changing heavyweight rankings, your best bet is to follow the official UFC Fighter Rankings which are updated after every event. Also, keep a close watch on Aspinall's social media—he’s been surprisingly transparent about his recovery and his vision issues. If he gets the green light from his doctors, expect a title fight announcement for a major summer pay-per-view.