Tom Aspinall couldn't escape the curse of the UFC heavyweight championship

Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight championship, adding another bizarre chapter to the division's turbulent five-year history. The decision, reported on September 14, 2026, was described as a courtesy move by Aspinall, who had struggled to secure a unification fight despite holding the interim title. The development continues a pattern of instability in the UFC heavyweight division that has frustrated fans and fighters alike.