Undefeated heavyweight contender accuses Tom Aspinall of stalling division

Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit has called out Tom Aspinall for stalling the division, arguing that the UFC champion's injury recovery has left the title picture in limbo. Aspinall (15-3) has not competed since his first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 320 in October, when a double eye poke resulted in a no-contest. Gane (13-2) is now set to face Alex Pereira (13-3) for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House: Freedom 250 on June 14, while Hokit (9-0) is also booked to fight Derrick Lewis (29-13) at the same event.

Hokit believes the interim fight should be elevated to an undisputed title bout, with Pereira and Gane competing for the full belt rather than settling for interim gold. He has expressed frustration with Aspinall's public statements regarding his eye injuries, suggesting the champion is being inconsistent about his recovery timeline. "You got Tom Aspinall claiming that he's blind now, saying that he can't practice, he can't even drive. Then all of a sudden he's saying he's going to come back," Hokit told UFC on Paramount Plus. "I think the division is being held up with his theatrics or whatever he's doing, his tactics."

Hokit has outlined a clear path forward: if Pereira and Gane fought for the undisputed title, and assuming Hokit defeats Lewis, he would then challenge the winner. The criticism reflects growing concern within the heavyweight ranks about prolonged inactivity at the top of the division, a common source of tension in UFC title pictures when reigning champions face extended injury layoffs.