Tom Aspinall’s undisputed heavyweight title reign got off to as bad a start as possible at UFC 321, and his long-time nemesis Jon Jones continues to haunt him, it seems.

UFC champ Tom Aspinall still struggling to see after controversial eye poke: 'It's bad' - Yahoo Sports

Retaining his crown last weekend in Abu Dhabi, Tom Aspinall was forced to a ‘No Contest’ with Ciryl Gane, after a ghastly double eye poke halted their anticipated clash before the end of the first round.

And already expected to make his return against Gane in an immediate rematch, a host of heavyweight talent are chasing a shot at the Brit’s belt.

However, an emerging prospect not yet in the UFC has staked his claim for a future charge, given his allegiance with Aspinall’s bitter rival Jon Jones.

Gable Steveson claims UFC needs an American heavyweight champion

Tom Aspinall speaks following his heavyweight title fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October, 2025.

Making his long-mooted mixed martial arts debut just a month ago, Olympic wrestling hero Gable Steveson prevailed with a first-round knockout under the LFA banner.

And linking up with former two-weight champion Jones ahead of a debut with the Dirty Boxing Championship in a trip to Nashville to take on Billy Swanson, Steveson has spoken of a potential future Octagon move.

Confident of bringing wholesale changes to the fleeting division, Steveson claimed the promotion needs an American to hold the heavyweight crown, in a subtle dig aimed at Aspinall.

“For the heavyweight division, there needs to be a fresh face,” Steveson told assembled media during a Dirty Boxing Championship media availability.

“There needs to be an American guy that (sic) can go out there and win,” Steveson explained. “My path leads to something bigger, and that’s UFC champion.”

Tom Aspinall divides opinion after UFC 321 debacle

Splitting opinion amongst the mixed martial arts community following his eye poke debacle in the Middle East, Aspinall has been laid into by fellow fighters far and wide.

The likes of former interim gold holder Dustin Poirier has compared his past experiences with eye poke fouls during his Octagon tenure in a bid to address Aspinall’s exit.

While a former light heavyweight kingpin — who was also in a similar position — pointed to his decision to keep fighting.