It’s been 10 months since UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall last stepped inside the octagon at UFC 321. He took on former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane but eye pokes rendered him unable to continue and left him with long-lasting eye injuries.
In his time away recovering and undergoing surgeries, the fight promotion put together an interim title bout between Gane and former two-division champion Alex Pereira. Gane defeated Pereira setting up a potential rematch with Aspinall.
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Some have called for the 33-year-old to stripped of the belt. After Aspinall inked a deal with UFC CEO Dana White rival Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, some questioned whether the champion was positioning to leave the organization.
On Wednesday, Stipe Drvis, Aspinall’s boxing coach stated on Instagram Live that the heavy-hitting Brit no longer wanted to fight in the organization. Drvis’ comments prompted Aspinall to release a statement via social media.
“I’m not leaving the UFC. I’ve never said I have in any interview and any words that have been taken from others today are simply not true,” the statement read. “We are talking to the UFC daily and they will update you guys always.”
