The heavyweight division in the UFC has always been a bit of a circus, but 2026 is taking things to a whole new level of "wait, what?" Honestly, if you’re asking who is the current heavyweight champion in the UFC, the answer is officially Tom Aspinall. But as with anything in MMA, there is a giant asterisk next to that name that involves a legend, a freak injury, and a division currently holding its collective breath.
Aspinall isn't just a placeholder. He’s the real deal. After Jon Jones finally hung up the gloves (the first time) in June 2025, the UFC did the sensible thing and promoted Aspinall from interim to undisputed champion. It felt like the dawn of a new era. The English powerhouse had been wrecking everyone in the first round, and fans were ready for a champion who actually fought more than once every two years.
Why the Heavyweight Belt is in Limbo
Things got weird fast. At UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this past October, Aspinall stepped into the cage for his first official defense as the undisputed king. His opponent? The ever-technical Ciryl Gane. People expected a chess match. What they got was a disaster.
Late in the first round, Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes. Hard. The fight was waved off as a No Contest (NC). Now, Aspinall is still the champion, but he’s a champion who can’t see straight. He was recently diagnosed with Brown’s Syndrome, a condition that messes with eye coordination and movement. He’s already had one surgery this month and has another scheduled for late January 2026.
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Michael Bisping, who famously lost an eye to the sport, has been publicly telling Tom to chill out and not rush back. It's sound advice. If you can't track a 260-pound man's fist coming at your face because your eyes won't move together, you shouldn't be in the Octagon.
The Jon Jones "Unretirement" Problem
While Aspinall recovers, the "Bones" Jones shadow is looming again. Jon Jones officially "retired" in 2025 after beating Stipe Miocic, but we all know how Jon is. He’s already been teasing a return for a massive "White House" card rumored for July 2026.
Jon isn't looking for a rematch with the young lions. He wants the "BMF" title or a legacy fight against Alex Pereira. This puts the UFC in a tight spot. Do they wait for Aspinall? Or do they create another interim title?
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The division currently looks like this:
- Champion: Tom Aspinall (Sidelined with eye injury)
- #1 Contender: Ciryl Gane (Coming off the NC)
- The Wildcard: Alex "Poatan" Pereira (Teasing a move up from 205)
- The Dark Horse: Alexander Volkov (On a massive win streak)
What Happens Next for the Heavyweight Title?
Basically, the heavyweight division is a waiting game. Aspinall is likely out for at least the first half of 2026. If he can't get cleared by the summer, don't be surprised if Dana White pulls the trigger on an interim title fight between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Pereira is the UFC's golden goose right now. He’s been cleaning out the light heavyweight division and clearly wants that third belt. If Aspinall is stuck in recovery, a Gane vs. Pereira fight for an interim strap is the most "UFC" move possible. It keeps the division moving and sets up a massive unification bout for the end of the year or early 2027.
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If you are following the rankings, watch Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He’s been fighting every three weeks it seems, and he’s got a date with Derrick Lewis at UFC 324. A win there puts him right in the mix for whatever tournament the UFC inevitably cooks up while Aspinall heals.
Actionable Insights for Fans
Keep an eye on the medical updates out of the Aspinall camp this February. That second surgery will determine if the heavyweight belt stays on ice or if we’re looking at a brand-new champion by international fight week. If Aspinall isn't cleared by April, expect the UFC to announce a Gane vs. Pereira interim title fight for June.
Monitor the UFC 324 results on January 24. If Waldo Cortes-Acosta sleeps Derrick Lewis, the "Ones to Watch" list is going to have a new name at the very top.