Matt Brown argues Tom Aspinall vacating heavyweight title creates more problems than it solves

Tom Aspinall's decision to vacate the UFC heavyweight title due to ongoing recovery from eye injuries sustained in his 2025 fight against Ciryl Gane has left the division in uncertain territory, according to retired welterweight Matt Brown. Aspinall's forced absence—after finally achieving undisputed champion status—creates a vacuum the UFC must fill, but the available options each carry significant drawbacks.

Circyl Gane holds the interim title after defeating Alex Pereira at the UFC White House card and could be elevated to undisputed champion, but this solution doesn't address the broader instability of the heavyweight division. Pereira, who lost to Gane in June and has disputed the outcome citing referee Herb Dean's failure to penalize illegal strikes to the back of the head, is pursuing a rematch. However, Brown cautioned that another loss could severely damage Pereira's stock despite his superstar status. "If Alex goes out and loses again, what does that do to his stock?" Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. "You lose twice, you're not fighting Tom Aspinall when Tom Aspinall comes back."

Pereira's potential rematch carries historical significance—a win would make him the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles across three divisions—but defeat would leave one of the sport's biggest names in limbo. Brown favored Gane in a second matchup and worried that further losses could diminish Pereira's future prospects, especially given his age and emerging contenders like Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson.

Other divisional options present their own complications. Josh Hokit remains undefeated and outspoken but lacks mainstream appeal and carries stylistic problems for top contenders. Steveson, though a generational talent with Olympic credentials, remains years away from title contention. With no official UFC announcement yet regarding the heavyweight future, Brown summed up the sentiment plainly: "It sucks for Tom Aspinall. It sucks for the UFC. It sucks for the fans. It just sucks for everyone involved."