Dana White: Tom Aspinall would have fought at White House if healthy

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Tom Aspinall was lined up to face Alex Pereira at the upcoming White House card before health complications forced the heavyweight champion out of contention.

White disclosed the planned super fight during a recent media appearance, revealing that Aspinall's injury status prevented what would have been a blockbuster cross-divisional bout between the interim heavyweight titleholder and the light heavyweight champion. The confirmation came after weeks of speculation about potential main events for the historic venue.

White House card forced to pivot after Aspinall injury

The UFC White House event, scheduled for Sunday and streaming on TNT Sports via HBO Max, will now proceed without the Aspinall-Pereira pairing. According to Sherdog, White made the revelation in video comments posted to social media, though he did not specify the nature or severity of Aspinall's medical issue.

Aspinall, who holds the interim heavyweight title after stopping Sergei Pavlovich last November, has been sidelined since defending that belt against Curtis Blaydes in July. The British fighter has publicly campaigned for a unification bout with Jon Jones, though the organization has explored other options including cross-weight superfights.

Pereira remains on the card in a different capacity, though his opponent for the White House show has not been officially announced. The light heavyweight champion last fought in November, submitting Khalil Rountree at UFC 329.

Source: sherdog.com