Tom Aspinall bonds with Phil Foden over missing major US events

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has found an unlikely source of commiseration in Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden.

Both elite athletes are sitting out major events currently unfolding in the United States, Sherdog reports. Aspinall remains on the shelf with an eye injury from his first title defense against Ciryl Gane last year, while Foden failed to make England's squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The champion posted about their meeting on Instagram, noting the shared experience of watching from home while their sports write history across the Atlantic.

White House snub compounds Aspinall's frustration

The timing stings for Aspinall. Gane fights Alex Pereira for an interim heavyweight title Sunday in the co-main event of UFC White House, yet the actual champion was not invited to attend. Interim bouts typically see the division's titleholder cageside, but Aspinall will watch the broadcast from England instead.

His path back to action remains murky. Pereira has said publicly he will not wait for Aspinall's return if he captures the interim strap, according to the report. Adding another wrinkle, Pereira's manager Eddie Hearn claims he will not allow the Brazilian to fight under his current UFC contract should he win, setting up a potential standoff with Dana White.

The winner of Gane-Pereira is expected to unify the belts with Aspinall once he clears medical protocols, though no date has been announced for the Englishman's comeback.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC champ Tom Aspinall finds common ground with English footballer