Tom Aspinall Reveals The One Scenario He Would Vacate His UFC Title

Tom Aspinall has revealed a scenario where he would vacate his UFC heavyweight title.

Aspinall makes the first defence of his undisputed UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane on October 25.

He was promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones refused to fight him.

The 32-year-old has already been involved in two UFC title bouts, having captured the interim UFC heavyweight belt against Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023.

And he defended his interim strap against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester last year.

Aspinall has almost cleaned out the division ahead of facing Gane in the main-event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.

But new contenders are emerging, including Ante Delija, who made a big splash in his UFC debut when he beat Marcin Tybura at UFC Paris.

Delija earned a spot in the top 10 of the UFC heavyweight rankings following his stoppage victory last month.

Ante Delija beat Marcin Tybura in his UFC debut last month. Image: Getty

If Delija finds himself in a spot to compete for UFC gold, it won't be against long-time friend Aspinall, who has said he would refuse to face the Croatian fighter.

The Brit insists he wouldn't take on his pal and revealed he would even vacate his title to allow his teammate to challenge for the UFC title.

Asked whether he'd fight his best friend for the UFC title or vacate it, Aspinall replied: "My friend [Ante Delija] just got his first win in the UFC, and he’s in the top 10. He’s potentially 2-3 wins away from a title shot. If I’d never won a title, I would feel like we would have to fight because that’s my dream."

He added: "But now I’ve done it, I’d be like, I’ll vacate it and he can have his time. I wouldn’t fight him - that’s my guy. I’ve won the title, I’ve done that, and I’ve got a few more in me before he’s gonna be up there anyway."

Tom Aspinall says he would vacate his UFC heavyweight title rather than fight his teammate. Image: Getty

Delija is likely only two or three wins away from earning a shot at UFC gold, so this situation is a possible scenario - especially considering Aspinall has already beaten most of the top 10.

But a championship match-up between Aspinall and Delija won't happen due to their friendship away from the Octagon.

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