Dana White Denies Tom Aspinall Exit Rumors

Dana White insists his relationship with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains solid despite recent speculation about the fighter's future with the promotion.

The UFC president told Barstool Sports' Spinning Backfist on Wednesday that Aspinall will return to the cage when healthy. "He's not going anywhere," White said, per BJPENN.com. "He's with us, and we're good with Tom Aspinall. I didn't know that. I didn't know his striking coach had said that, but obviously that's not true."

Aspinall's Coach Sparked Exit Talk

The comments came after Aspinall's striking coach Stipe Drviš suggested during a live stream that the Salford native might leave the UFC. White said he was unaware of those remarks before being asked about them. Aspinall has been out since suffering a double eye poke against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. Gane went on to stop Alex Pereira in the second round at UFC Freedom 250 to claim the interim heavyweight title.

Aspinall publicly criticized White's post-fight comments following the eye injury, saying the UFC boss made it sound like he chose to quit. The heavyweight champion recently signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom talent agency. Hearn told reporters that Aspinall was underpaid for a champion and would not return without a new contract. The boxing promoter said he has already boosted Aspinall's earnings through deals outside the octagon.

White offered no timeline for Aspinall's return but said the champion will fight when cleared. A rematch with Gane to unify the heavyweight titles remains the logical next step once Aspinall is medically approved.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Dana White denies issues with Tom Aspinall amid striking coach’s claims: “He’s not going anywhere”