Tom Aspinall's UFC exit opens door for Josh Hokit's bold title demand

With Tom Aspinall vacating the UFC heavyweight championship due to ongoing eye complications that have prevented his medical clearance to compete, Josh Hokit has immediately staked his claim to face interim champion Ciryl Gane for the undisputed title. Hokit took to social media to push for the matchup, writing that "the fans deserve Me vs Gane" and pledging to be "the most active champ in the company."

Hokit also expressed willingness to face light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in early 2027, provided Pereira wins a heavyweight bout first. Meanwhile, Pereira himself has called out Gane for a rematch, claiming that illegal strikes to the back of his head were pivotal in their previous encounter at a recent event, and suggesting the rematch is likely to happen.

Aspinall's departure from the title picture creates a significant opening in the heavyweight division. With Gane holding interim gold and multiple contenders—Hokit, Pereira, and others—now circling for their shot, the UFC faces pressure to quickly establish a clear title fight. Hokit's assertiveness and promise of activity, along with Pereira's star power, both make compelling cases, but the promotion will need to weigh marketability, rankings, and fighter availability as it determines the division's next championship bout.