Dana White directly addresses Tom Aspinall relationship for first time since vacating UFC heavyweight title

UFC president Dana White has offered his thoughts on Tom Aspinall for the first time since the Brit vacated the heavyweight title.

Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title on September 14 because of ongoing complications with his recovery from an eye injury.

The Atherton-born 33-year-old remains sidelined, having not fought since last October, when his clash with Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest due to eye pokes.

Aspinall was later diagnosed with a rare eye condition and has since undergone several operations.

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Tom Aspinall issues update on eye injury

Despite returning to training in June, Aspinall is not ready to make a long-awaited return to the octagon. A rematch against Gane, who is the interim heavyweight champion, had initially been mooted for September.

“Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now,” Aspinall wrote on social media.

“I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.

“I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.

“I know there have been questions about why I’ve been quiet. I’ve always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen.

“I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I’ve asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it’s like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.

“The UFC and Hunter have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes. We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now.

“I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old.

“I’m not done.

“Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.

“What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career. Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare.

“I’ll be back as soon as I’m medically able to be.”

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Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight title (Credit:GettyImages)

Dana White directly addresses claims he 'doesn't like' Tom Aspinall

Earlier this year, Aspinall signed an advisory agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, which many saw as a move designed to annoy White, given his frosty relationship with Hearn.

However, speaking after UFC 331 on Saturday (September 19), White maintained that he has no hard feelings towards the fighter while making it clear that he would be honest if he did not like someone.

“That’s not the case,” White said when pressed on the idea that he does not like Aspinall.

“This guy knows he’s injured, he’s going through stuff with the doctor, he knows it’s going to be a while before he comes back. This is totally normal ... If I don’t like somebody, I’m pretty f---ing honest about it. If I did not like Tom, I would say it. And when guys sign with Eddie Hearn, this is no bulls---, we f---ing crack up laughing. It’s hilarious.”

“I think because of what I might have said or what he might have responded to, what I said after the thing, that people think that I don’t like Tom,” White added. “It’s the furthest thing from the truth. I have no reason to not like Tom. Tom’s never done anything for me not to like him.”

Aspinall boasts a UFC record of eight wins, one loss and one no contest. White also announced that interim champion Gane will face Josh Hokit for the undisputed crown at UFC 334 in New York on November 14.