{
  "id": 7289984,
  "title": "Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/aspinall-vacates-ufc-heavyweight-title",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T09:54:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cy4z05dkgnjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tom Aspinall, a 33-year-old British fighter, has relinquished his UFC heavyweight title due to complications in his recovery from an eye injury. Since his October 2025 first defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest due to eye pokes, Aspinall has dealt with a rare eye condition, persistent double vision, and multiple surgeries. The fighter expressed disappointment in a statement, acknowledging the dream he pursued since he was ten years old. He stated his desire for other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title. Initially, Aspinall had planned to return to full training for a rematch with France's Gane, potentially in September. However, in August, he denied reports suggesting he would leave the UFC. UFC president Dana White suggested Aspinall might be stripped of the title. Notably, Valentina Shevchenko vacated the women's flyweight title due to persistent injuries. Gane had previously defeated Alex Pereira to win the interim heavyweight title in June, subsequently demanding a rematch with Aspinall.",
  "summary": "Britain's Tom Aspinall, who has not fought for almost a year, vacates his title because of complications in his recovery from an eye injury.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title.",
    "Complications from eye injury hinder recovery.",
    "Aspinall aims for other fighters' title chance."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/aspinall-vacates-ufc-heavyweight-title-amid-ongoing-eye-issues",
        "published": "2026-09-14T10:14:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title due to eye injury",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/tom-aspinall-vacates-ufc-heavyweight-title-due-to-eye-injury",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:11:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title after eye injury",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/tom-aspinall-vacates-ufc-heavyweight-title-after-eye-injury",
        "published": "2026-09-14T13:06:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}