Tom Aspinall Halts Podcast After 2 Eye Surgeries, Vacates UFC Heavyweight Belt

Q: Who will step up to battle Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight crown with Aspinall sidelined until 2027?

No opponent has been announced, but Alex Pereira appears to be the leading candidate to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title. The clearest piece of evidence is Dana White’s confirmation that Gane will not be elevated from interim to undisputed champion. Instead, he must fight again for the vacant belt “soon, very soon.” The UFC has not named that opponent, leaving several contenders in play. Among the names most consistently linked are Pereira, Josh Hokit and Alexander Volkov. Pereira stands out because he already fought Gane for the interim belt at UFC Freedom 250, lost in a controversial finish, and has publicly said he wants to stay at heavyweight and return in November. That makes a rematch commercially and competitively plausible. Hokit has also pushed hard for the title shot and is being talked about as a fast-rising option, while Volkov remains a credible top-ranked contender in the mix. Some reports have also mentioned Sergei Pavlovich as an outside possibility, though he appears less central to the immediate discussion. Based on the current reporting, Pereira is the most likely next man up, with Hokit and Volkov close behind if the UFC goes in a different direction. Until the promotion makes it official, the heavyweight title picture remains unsettled, but Gane’s next fight is expected to decide the undisputed champion while Aspinall recovers, with the earliest projected return for him in early 2027.

2 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 17

Tom Aspinall said he is stepping away from podcasting and social media to focus fully on returning to fighting after surrendering the UFC heavyweight title.
A recent training setback damaged one eye again, effectively restarting the 33-year-old's recovery after double eye surgery following his UFC 321 bout with Ciryl Gane.
That injury also derailed plans for a reported Aspinall-Gane rematch at UFC 334 in New York, leaving the division without a formally announced undisputed champion.
Ciryl Gane still holds the interim belt after knocking out Alex Pereira in June, while the UFC has yet to confirm whether he will be elevated or booked into a new title fight.
Early 2027 is now the reported target for Aspinall's return if he avoids further setbacks, extending a layoff that is nearing a full year.