What happened: Daniel Cormier called Tom Aspinall the world's best heavyweight and said the promotion needs its champion active. Aspinall remains under UFC contract after saying Wednesday that he is not leaving.
Why it matters: Aspinall's absence has left interim champion Ciryl Gane waiting for a title unification path. Their October 2025 meeting ended after an accidental eye poke.
By the numbers: Aspinall is 15-3 with one no contest. His 15 wins include 12 knockouts and three submissions, with 14 first-round finishes.
What to watch: UFC's next move is whether it schedules an Aspinall-Gane rematch before the end of 2026.