Morning Report | Daniel Cormier wants UFC to book Tom Aspinall’s return ASAP ‘because he is the best heavyweight in the world’

Aspinall, 31, has been embroiled in a period of relative inactivity and a discernible "cold war" with the UFC for nearly a year. This began following his unfortunate no-contest bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC Fight Night 209 in London in August 2022, a fight that ended just 15 seconds in due to a severe knee injury sustained by Aspinall. The injury sidelined him for several months, disrupting his momentum in the division. The ensuing period saw UFC CEO Dana White make several public statements regarding Aspinall’s perceived activity and enthusiasm, which the Lancashire-born fighter reportedly took offense to. Adding another layer of complexity to the relationship, Aspinall further solidified his position by signing a management deal earlier this year with renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, a figure with whom White has a well-documented rivalry, famously having once proposed a boxing match against him.

This simmering animosity between the reigning interim champion and the promotion, coupled with Aspinall’s extended absence from the cage, fueled considerable speculation among fans and pundits alike regarding his long-term future within the UFC. Rumors of a potential departure from the organization gained traction, prompting Aspinall himself to release a public statement earlier this week, unequivocally refuting any claims that he was considering leaving the promotion. However, for Daniel Cormier, the former heavyweight and light heavyweight titleholder, the time for bickering and contractual impasses has passed; he believes it is imperative for all parties to reconcile and allow the sport’s highest-regarded heavyweight to resume his career.

"Tom Aspinall needs to be in the UFC," Cormier declared emphatically on his YouTube channel. "Tom Aspinall needs to be back fighting as fast as we can get him, because he is the best heavyweight in the world. Ciryl Gane is good. He looks amazing against [Serghei Spivac], but ultimately, the heavyweight champ right now is Tom Aspinall and the UFC needs him. So I hope that all this bickering and back-and-forth can be handled so that we can get the heavyweight champ, the baddest man on the planet, back inside of an octagon where he belongs." Cormier’s assessment highlights Aspinall’s critical role in the division, particularly given the current landscape.

Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has rapidly ascended the heavyweight ranks since his UFC debut in 2020. Known for his blend of speed, power, and high-level grappling, he quickly established himself as a formidable force. His pre-injury run included impressive first-round finishes over Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, and Sergey Spivak, followed by a submission win over Alexander Volkov, which cemented his status as a top contender. The devastating knee injury against Gane, a torn MCL, torn meniscus, and damaged ACL, was a significant setback for a fighter on the cusp of a title shot.

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The heavyweight division itself has been in a state of flux. The reigning undisputed champion, Jon Jones, has been largely inactive since capturing the title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. His much-anticipated title defense against Stipe Miocic has been delayed multiple times, leaving the division without a consistently active champion. This prolonged inactivity at the top necessitated the creation of an interim title, which Aspinall claimed with a spectacular first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. This victory underscored Aspinall’s dominance and reaffirmed his position as a legitimate force, arguably making him the most active and dominant heavyweight contender in the current ecosystem.

Cormier further elaborated on the practical realities of Aspinall’s situation, noting that not only does the octagon represent his rightful domain, but it is also, for the moment, the sole arena where Aspinall can legally ply his trade. As an active fighter under contract with the UFC, his options are severely limited. Unless Aspinall were to opt for a complete retirement from mixed martial arts, he is contractually bound to the UFC, at least for the foreseeable future.

However, Cormier’s argument extends beyond mere contractual obligations. He posits that even if Aspinall possessed the freedom to explore opportunities outside the UFC, such a move would ultimately prove to be a short-sighted endeavor. The allure of substantial paydays in other promotions or combat sports disciplines, according to Cormier, is largely a deceptive mirage—a one-time windfall rather than a sustainable career path.

"Guys, there is money out there on the open market, but then you’ll make the big money once," Cormier cautioned, drawing parallels with recent developments in the combat sports landscape. He cited the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and its partnership with Bellator MMA, which saw talents like Michael ‘Venom’ Page (MVP) sign lucrative deals. "PFL and MVP getting together, that’s a really good thing, but then we’ll see how long they can pay that big money consistently, because if the UFC is paying Tom Aspinall… say they’re paying him $3 million to fight. They could pay him $3 million 10 times if they needed to. All those other companies, can they do that? That’s [what] you have to know as a fighter."

Cormier’s analysis underscores the UFC’s unparalleled financial stability and capacity for sustained high-level compensation, a stark contrast to newer or smaller promotions that might offer significant initial payouts but struggle with long-term consistency. He referenced the high-profile case of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who departed the UFC over contractual disputes and subsequently secured lucrative boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, in addition to a PFL MMA contract.

"Now, Francis went out, boxed, made a lot of money. Francis went and did MMA, made a lot of money. You can make a lot of money in those other things, but can Tom box? Can Tom box?" Cormier questioned. While Ngannou’s transition to boxing proved financially successful due to his unique power and marketability, Cormier raised the pertinent point of whether Aspinall possesses the same crossover appeal or boxing pedigree to replicate such success. Aspinall has indeed expressed interest in trying his hand at boxing eventually, but the immediate and consistent financial opportunities, Cormier suggests, remain firmly within the UFC.

"There are places to fight. There are many places to fight. There are many places that will give you big money; I just don’t know if you can make the big money over and over and over again," Cormier concluded, emphasizing the UFC’s unique position as the gold standard for consistent, high-level remuneration in mixed martial arts.

For the time being, Aspinall has publicly stated his intention to return to the cage to settle his score with Ciryl Gane. The potential rematch between the two highly-ranked heavyweights is a tantalizing prospect for fans, with rumors suggesting the bout could materialize sometime before the end of the year. Such a fight would not only provide Aspinall with an opportunity for redemption following his injury-marred first encounter but would also be a crucial step in unifying the heavyweight titles and bringing much-needed clarity and activity to the division.

Cormier’s impassioned plea serves as a reminder of Aspinall’s perceived importance to the UFC’s heavyweight landscape. With his dynamic fighting style and interim title, Aspinall represents the future of the division. Resolving the current tensions and facilitating his prompt return is not merely a matter of contractual negotiation but, in Cormier’s view, an imperative for the integrity and excitement of the sport’s most powerful weight class.