Tom Aspinall says he is still focused on his UFC career, even as talk grows that he might try boxing.
Aspinall responds to boxing rumors
The UFC heavyweight champion has been linked to boxing after signing a management deal with promoter Eddie Hearn. That deal, and some public comments by UFC CEO Dana White, helped fuel questions about whether Aspinall might switch sports.
Aspinall downplayed those ideas in a recent interview. “To be honest, I’m not thinking about boxing that much right now,” he said. “I’ve got more stuff to do with the UFC.”
Injury and recovery
Aspinall has not fought since his first UFC heavyweight title defence against Ciryl Gane in September last year. He suffered eye pokes during that fight and required surgery for injuries related to those pokes.
Until recently, Aspinall was focused mainly on healing. Reports this month said he was still not cleared to resume full-contact sparring. Despite that, he has shown signs of progress. On his YouTube channel, he was seen hitting pads during a trip to Croatia, suggesting his recovery is moving forward.
What comes next
Despite the outside interest in boxing, Aspinall insists his goals remain inside the Octagon. He says he still has “unfinished business” in the UFC and is concentrating on getting back to fighting form.
There is no official return date yet. For now, Aspinall is working through recovery, training within limits, and keeping his focus on MMA rather than a move to the squared circle.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | Out since title defence vs Ciryl Gane (September last year) due to eye injuries and surgery |
Source: UFCcoverage
