{
  "id": 7384116,
  "title": "Tom Aspinall couldn't escape the curse of the UFC heavyweight championship",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/tom-aspinall-couldnt-escape-the-curse-of-the-ufc-heavyweight",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T19:38:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/tom-aspinall-couldnt-escape-the-curse-of-the-ufc-heavyweight-championship-vacate-ciryl-gane-jon-jones-alex-pereira-193848664.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tom Aspinall, a heavyweight boxer, is currently unable to shake off the misfortunes that have plagued his career. His predicament began when he had to wait a year and a half to face Ciryl Gane, the man who had just claimed the title. Aspinall couldn't return to fight due to vision problems caused by a gouge from Gane during their previous encounter at UFC 321. This situation highlights the chaotic nature of the UFC heavyweight division, where fighters seem to come and go in rapid succession, with each victory followed by another challenge. The division has featured names like Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones, and Gane, all of whom have played significant roles in its turbulent history. The story of Aspinall's struggles is emblematic of the ever-changing landscape of the heavyweight division, where even titleholders can be dethroned at any moment and new challengers can emerge unexpectedly.",
  "summary": "With Tom Aspinall's decision to vacate the belt, the timeline of events in the UFC heavyweight division over the past five years becomes even more ludicrous.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tom Aspinall delayed fight with Ciryl Gane by a year and a half",
    "Gane's gouge caused Aspinall's vision problems",
    "Aspinall's struggles reflect UFC heavyweight division's volatility"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}