Injuries & withdrawals
2 stories on this topic, newest first.
Aspinall back in full training, in talks for Gane unification rematch
Tom Aspinall (15-3) announced he is back in full training for the first time since October's UFC 321 no-contest, where repeated eye pokes from Ciryl Gane left him with double vision and required surgery on both eyes. He says his team is in talks with the UFC and referenced a 12-week camp, hinting at a return window around September. Gane holds the interim title after knocking out Alex Pereira at the White House event and has called for the unification bout; UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi is floated as a likelier landing spot than the non-PPV UFC Paris card.
Why it matters: This is the fight that unfreezes a heavyweight division stuck in limbo for most of a year. The wrinkle is Aspinall's new advisor Eddie Hearn, who has publicly urged him not to take the rematch under his current UFC deal.
- Aspinall back in full training for Gane rematch (BBC)
- He's back! Tom Aspinall back to full training, 'in talks with UFC' for Ciryl Gane rematch (MMA Mania)
- Tom Aspinall seemingly hints at Ciryl Gane rematch date when confirming UFC talks (Bloody Elbow)
- Tom Aspinall 'back in full training' for UFC title fight (Yahoo Sports MMA)
Strickland targets December for first middleweight title defense
Sean Strickland says he's eyeing a December return for the first defense of his second middleweight reign, which would make a third fight in 2026 after beating Anthony Hernandez and dethroning Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Strickland fought Chimaev through a torn shoulder that still needs to heal. Chimaev has accused him of 'running' from a rematch, while Nassourdine Imavov also waits on a title shot.
Why it matters: A December timeline pushes any Chimaev rematch or Imavov shot to year's end, leaving the 185-pound title picture in a holding pattern through the fall.