UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall Nears First Title Defense Announcement

Tom Aspinall, the newly undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, has verbally agreed to his first title defense after waiting nearly a year due to Jon Jones' retirement uncertainty. While the UFC has not officially announced his opponent, Aspinall confirmed that the fight is imminent and he is ready to defend his title, expressing eagerness to remain active in the division. Potential challengers include Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, though former champion Francis Ngannou's return remains uncertain given his complicated relationship with the UFC. Amid the speculation, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo suggested Derrick Lewis as a fan-favorite and resume-enhancing opponent for Aspinall's first defense. UFC president Dana White has expressed distrust toward Jon Jones' potential return, diminishing the likelihood of Jones fighting in the upcoming White House mega event and solidifying Aspinall's position as champion. Aspinall has pledged to clean out the heavyweight division and fight frequently, offering hope for renewed momentum in a division that has been stagnant in recent years.