Ali Akbar Rosady
Former two-division UFC champion and prominent fight analyst Daniel Cormier has voiced significant frustration regarding the proliferation of unsubstantiated rumors suggesting that interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall might be parting ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Cormier, known for his candid commentary, specifically called out fellow MMA pundit Josh Thomson for spreading what he described as "stupid" misinformation.
The speculative reports began circulating across various social social media platforms over the past week, alleging that Aspinall and the UFC had reached a mutual agreement for the British fighter to vacate his interim title in exchange for his release from the promotion. This rumor gained traction amidst Aspinall’s recent inactivity, stemming from a disappointing no-contest ruling in his last outing.
Tom Aspinall’s most recent appearance in the Octagon occurred in October at UFC 321, where he faced former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. The highly anticipated bout, which many viewed as a pivotal contest for the division’s future, concluded prematurely in the first round. Aspinall suffered an injury to his eye, which the referee deemed to have resulted from an accidental foul, specifically an eye poke delivered by Gane. The incident led to the fight being declared a no-contest, sidelining Aspinall indefinitely as he underwent surgery to address the issue. The exact nature and extent of the "injuries to both eyes" mentioned in initial reports were not fully disclosed, but the immediate impact was a mandatory recovery period.
The unverified claim of a potential Aspinall-UFC split found a platform through several online personalities, with former UFC fighter Josh Thomson being one of the more prominent names to disseminate the rumor. Thomson, co-host of the "Weighing In" podcast, shared the alleged development, contributing to its rapid spread across the MMA community. However, the report was swiftly debunked by credible journalists, including Petesy Carroll of Uncrowned, who clarified that there was no truth to the assertions.
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Cormier, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed dismay at the readiness of some fans and even fellow commentators to accept and propagate such unfounded reports. "You know who’s not smart at times? I love the fans, but there’s a section of fans that sometimes they’re so emotional… You know sometimes a kid might want something and if it doesn’t work out for them, they get pissed off," Cormier stated, drawing a parallel to the emotional investment fans have in fighter careers. He continued, highlighting the knee-jerk reactions that often accompany unexpected events in sports. "There’s a section of fans that get mad for things that are really out of people’s control. Example: Tom Aspinall in his last fight gets eye-poked, fight gets stopped, but we all wanted it to keep going. I was mad, but to say that Tom Aspinall just didn’t want to fight was crazy."
Turning his attention directly to Thomson, Cormier did not mince words. "Now we find out, ‘according to Josh Thomson,’ bro, did you see Josh Thomson? That’s my buddy, but he’s so stupid… Josh goes, ‘UFC asked Tom Aspinall to vacate the title until he’s ready to go. He said he’d be willing to vacate the title as long as they released him.’ It’s not true. It’s just not true. Where did Josh Thomson hear that?" Cormier’s strong rebuke underscored his concern over the damage that unverified information can inflict on fighter reputations and fan perception.
As of the current reporting period, there have been no official communications or negotiations between Tom Aspinall’s management and the UFC regarding a title relinquishment or a potential release. The UFC typically maintains a policy of allowing champions a reasonable period to recover from injuries. However, the promotion also has a history of introducing interim championships or, in rare cases, stripping titles if a champion’s inactivity significantly impedes the progress of a division. While an interim title fight in the heavyweight division remains a possibility should Aspinall’s recovery extend for a prolonged period, no such discussions have been officially confirmed.
Cormier, a former UFC heavyweight champion himself, acknowledged the inherent dilemma the promotion faces with an injured interim champion. "How long does the UFC wait, though? Hey, Josh was wrong. I don’t think that ask has been made yet. If the UFC wanted to, they could just make an interim title fight between someone else while the champion waits. Tom Aspinall fought last year. How long, though, do they wait before we start to see an interim title fight or maybe some movement in that division or trying to get some movement going in that division?" his query reflected a broader concern about the overall health and trajectory of the UFC’s heavyweight division.
The heavyweight landscape in the UFC has been marked by a series of uncertainties and challenges over the past year. Jon Jones, the undisputed heavyweight champion, has been sidelined with what has been described as severe arthritis and other injuries, notably an torn pectoral muscle that forced the cancellation of his highly anticipated defense against Stipe Miocic. Jones’s long-term fighting future remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the division. Ciryl Gane, following his no-contest with Aspinall, finds himself in a state of limbo, with no immediate next opponent announced.
Adding to the instability was the departure of former undisputed heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou from the UFC in early 2023. Ngannou, who subsequently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and ventured into professional boxing, left a significant void at the top of the division. His move meant that a marquee name and a dominant force were no longer part of the UFC’s heavyweight roster, impacting both the competitive depth and marketability of the weight class.
Cormier’s apprehension extends to the current crop of contenders vying for a shot at the title. He expressed a lack of confidence in many of the division’s rising talents to compete effectively with the elite. "It’s just not in a great place," Cormier observed. He cited Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who recently lost to Sergei Pavlovich, as an example. Pavlovich himself was swiftly defeated by Tom Aspinall in the first round of their November 2023 bout for the interim title. "Would you say that if you put Waldo Cortes-Acosta in there with Ciryl Gane or Tom Aspinall, he’d be competitive? [Cortes-Acosta lost to Sergei Pavlovich] and Pavlovich got knocked out by Tom Aspinall in the first round. It just feels like there’s a clear separation between the best guys [and the rest]." This assessment underscores a perceived lack of depth in the upper echelons of the division, where a few top-tier athletes appear significantly ahead of the pack. Other notable contenders like Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida are active, but the path to a clear championship contender remains obscured by the top heavy injuries.
The proliferation of unverified rumors, particularly concerning high-profile athletes and their contractual situations, continues to be a persistent challenge in the modern sports media landscape. Social media platforms often serve as conduits for misinformation, leading to unnecessary speculation and, as Cormier highlighted, emotional reactions from fans. The incident involving Tom Aspinall’s alleged release serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking out verified information from credible journalistic sources before accepting or sharing news, especially when it pertains to the professional careers of athletes.
As the UFC navigates a challenging period for its heavyweight division, all eyes will remain on Tom Aspinall’s recovery timeline and the official announcements from the promotion regarding his return and the future of the interim title. Meanwhile, the call for greater scrutiny and responsibility in disseminating information resonates, particularly from seasoned voices like Daniel Cormier, who advocate for accuracy and integrity in sports reporting.
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