{"id":25526,"date":"2026-08-28T20:13:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmaallout.com\/?p=25526"},"modified":"2026-08-28T20:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:13:57","slug":"dana-white-denies-issues-with-tom-aspinall-amid-striking-coachs-claims-hes-not-going-anywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmaallout.com\/?p=25526","title":{"rendered":"Dana White denies issues with Tom Aspinall amid striking coach’s claims: “He’s not going anywhere”"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Trending:<\/span>Alex Pereira won\u2019t wait on Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane before his next fight: \u201cI want to fight for the belt\u201dZuffa LLC<\/span><\/p>\n

Dana White doesn\u2019t plan on parting ways with Tom Aspinall anytime soon.<\/p>\n

Aspinall holds the main UFC heavyweight title, but he\u2019s been out of action since being poked in both eyes against Ciryl Gane back in Oct. 2025. Gane went on to defeat Alex Pereira via second-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250 to win the interim heavyweight title.<\/p>\n

While a title unification rematch is the logical move, some believe that tension between both Aspinall and the UFC brass could be holding things up. Aspinall\u2019s striking coach Stipe Drvi\u0161 caused quite a stir during a live stream when he alluded to the Salford native possibly leaving the promotion.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Barstool Sports\u2019 Spinning Backfist, White denied any issue with Aspinall, and he\u2019s confident that the titleholder will be ready to go soon.<\/p>\n

Dana White on Tom Aspinall’s striking coach saying he’s leaving the UFC:<\/p>\n

“He’s not going anywhere, we are good with Tom Aspinall. I didn’t know that, I didn’t know his striking coach said that. Obviously, that’s not true. When he’s healthy and he’s ready to fight, he’ll fight.” pic.twitter.com\/AYcwGnNSug<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) August 28, 2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever he\u2019s healthy,\u201d White said. \u201cHe\u2019s not going anywhere. He\u2019s with us, and we\u2019re good with Tom Aspinall. I didn\u2019t know that. I didn\u2019t know his striking coach had said that, but obviously that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Aspinall wasn\u2019t shy in saying he felt disrespected with White\u2019s post-fight comments following his double eye injury. The heavyweight champion felt the UFC boss made it seem as if he had a choice to continue fighting. Aspinall signing a talent agency deal with Matchroom\u2019s Eddie Hearn further stoked the flames in the eyes of some.<\/p>\n

Hearn has told reporters that Aspinall will not be returning to the Octagon before getting a new deal. The top boxing promoter said he was appalled seeing how low Aspinall\u2019s pay was given that he\u2019s the heavyweight champion. Hearn also claimed to have significantly increased Aspinall\u2019s pay through ventures outside UFC.<\/p>\n

If White has good reason to be optimistic about his relationship with Aspinall, then the rematch with Gane might soon be on the horizon. Until then, fight fans will have to wait for an official announcement.<\/p>\n

Do you think Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane 2 happens before the end of 2026? Sound off in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM<\/p>\n