Aspinall Denies UFC Departure Rumors

Tom Aspinall shut down speculation about his UFC future after his longtime coach, Stipe Drvis, suggested during an Instagram Live that Aspinall no longer wanted to fight for the promotion.

"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. We are talking with the UFC daily, and they will update you guys always," Aspinall

Aspinall remains out while recovering from eye injuries suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, a fight that ended in a no contest. He's targeting a rematch with Gane, now interim champion, by year's end, potentially on the promotion's upcoming New York card.

Contract talks could get complicated given tension between UFC CEO Dana White and Aspinall's new manager, Eddie Hearn. White has also said he and Aspinall "need to talk" following friction over the champion's handling of his eye injuries. No update on a return timeline has been announced.