Henry Cejudo calls for Tom Aspinall title removal

Cejudo wants Aspinall stripped while he remains sidelined

A former two-time UFC champion is the latest to demand that the current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall be stripped of his title, or at least be forced to defend it.

Tom Aspinall had to undergo several eye surgeries earlier this year after being poked in the eye twice by Ciryl Gane at the UFC 321 event. Unfortunately, his eye still hasn’t fully healed.

The Brit has been sidelined for over 300 days. Although he is eager to have a rematch against the current interim champion Ciryl Gane, his new manager, Eddie Hearn, is insisting that he must not return too soon. According to Hearn, the doctors will ultimately have the final say on when Tom Aspinall is allowed to fight again. So it won’t depend on how Tom Aspinall feels or what he himself would like to do.

Henry Cejudo believes that Tom Aspinall should relinquish his title in the meantime so that someone else can become the UFC heavyweight champion until Tom Aspinall actually returns.

“I think [Tom Aspinall] needs to vacate or be stripped at this point. As a champion, if you are hurt and unwilling to compete, vacate the belt. Let somebody be called undisputed until you are actually back”

he said.

Henry also said that Tom Aspinall's decision to choose Eddie Hearn as his new manager won't really help him.

“Eddie Hearn does not help Tom Aspinall. He’s got no leverage. Time is almost up… By the time October 26th hits, he can be stripped after that. Eddie Hearn cannot help him… You’re poking the bear. Dana White’s the bear. You’re f*cking with the boss. It’s not good business to have Dana White as your enemy”

he said.

He’s not the only one who feels this way. There have already been quite a few people who have criticized Tom Aspinall and demanded that his title be stripped. At first glance, it doesn’t look like that’s actually going to happen, since Tom Aspinall is supposed to fight again soon, but the calls for it are loud. Whether that will ultimately happen remains to be seen. What do you think, would that be a fair decision?

I understand why many people are upset that there hasn’t been much movement in the division lately. However, things are supposed to get going again soon, and Tom Aspinall is really the last person who’s truly to blame for that. I don’t think it would be a fair decision.