ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: Tom Aspinall of England prepares to face Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCTom Aspinall made it clear on Wednesday. He's not looking to leave the UFC. Aspinall took to social media and posted an official statement to shut down the rumors that have surfaced. Aspinall, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, has been out of action for 10-plus months, had three eye surgeries and a public falling out with Dana White. He's also signed with Matchroom's Eddie Hearn as his manager. White and Hearn have been embroiled in a bitter war of words over the past few months. All of that together is definitely enough to fuel rumors of his potential exit from the promotion. What's really happening and what's next for Aspinall? Let's talk MMA.Aspinall posted the statement to his own account Wednesday.Tom Aspinall Key FactsDetailInfoStatusUndisputed UFC heavyweight championThe statementPosted Wednesday, August 26, 2026What he said"I'm not leaving the UFC"Last appearanceUFC 321, October 25, 2025, no contest against Ciryl GaneLast completed fightUFC 304, July 27, 2024, first-round knockout of Curtis BlaydesThe injuryBilateral traumatic Brown's syndrome after an accidental double eye pokeSurgeriesThree procedures, one on the left eye and two on the rightFirst operationFebruary 11, 2026, 108 days after the injuryMedically clearedJuly 2026Return dateNone announcedInterim championCiryl GaneManagementMatchroom Talent Agency, a commercial and advisory role, signed March 5, 2026UFC 334Saturday, November 14, 2026, Madison Square Garden, no bouts announcedThe rumor started with Aspinall's own boxing coach, who said on an Instagram Live that his fighter no longer wanted to fight in the promotion. Hearn had already offered in June to buy the contract out, putting in writing that Aspinall would earn three times more elsewhere. LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Tom Aspinall UFC heavyweight champion and Eddie Hearn chairman of Matchroom Sport shake hands at Battersea Power station on March 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMORE FOR YOURanked heavyweight Josh Hokit called this month for the belt to be taken off him. Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev meet at UFC 333 in October with the winner sitting behind the unification.Aspinall’s next fight has to be against interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. Aspinall and Gane’s first fight, back in 2025, ended in a no contest after the latter’s double eye poke left the former injured, partially blind and in need of surgeries to repair the issues. Britain's Tom Aspinall leaves the ring after being hit in the eye while fighting France's Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesSince then, Gane has gone on to win the interim title by stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Aspinall still doesn't have a return date, but according to his post, he's talking with the UFC daily.When the two men have their rematch, it will be one of the biggest fights of the year and it is a prime candidate to headline UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden in November.More UFC CoverageCiryl Gane's Big Win Over Alex Pereira Stained By Video Proof of Illegal StrikesFormer UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Announces He's Moving Up to HeavyweightUFC Meta Rankings: What Changed And Why Big Names DroppedThe Aspinall Layoff, Step By StepTimeline as reported by the UFC and covering outlets.DateDevelopmentJuly 27, 2024Knocks out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304June 21, 2025Promoted to undisputed champion when Jon Jones retiresOctober 25, 2025No contest against Gane at UFC 321 after a double eye pokeFebruary 11, 2026First eye surgery, 108 days after the injuryMarch 5, 2026Signs with the Matchroom Talent AgencyJune 14, 2026Gane stops Pereira for the interim titleJuly 2026Medically cleared to returnAugust 26, 2026Posts the statement denying an exitThe UFC Heavyweight PictureStanding as listed by the UFC.FighterPositionTom AspinallUndisputed championCiryl GaneInterim champion, ranked No. 1Alexander VolkovRanked No. 2, faces Kuniev at UFC 333Josh HokitUndefeated at 10-0, ranked No. 4Alex PereiraMoved up from light heavyweight, 0-1 at the weight