BUZZ Miocic backs Aspinall's decision to vacate heavyweight title, says 'forget about' UFC

Stipe Miocic has told Tom Aspinall to stop worrying about the UFC. In an interview with Athlon Sports, the former heavyweight champion backed Aspinall's decision to vacate the title over the eye injury he suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025. Speaking to Aspinall directly, he said: "The UFC's never happy with anyone unless they're making them a ton of money. So forget about them."

Miocic speaks from experience. He said he tore his retina after an eye poke in his UFC 241 rematch with Daniel Cormier, which he won by fourth-round TKO, and that he came back within a year. By his own account, if his recovery had run longer, he would have given up the belt too. Aspinall has now been out for more than a year, which leaves the division waiting on a champion who cannot fight.

The division has moved on without him. Gane defends the heavyweight title against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden. Hokit signed with the UFC in August 2025 and is 4-0, and he has drawn attention for his trash talk. Miocic said Hokit is good at what he does but that he does not care for the trash talk.

The pick has not pleased everyone. Alexander Volkov, ranked No. 2 in MMA Mania's Meta Rankings, beat Rizvan Kuniev by unanimous decision at UFC 333 on Oct. 24. He told The Ariel Helwani Show that Dana White still has not given him an answer on what it takes to get a title shot, and he criticized Hokit's shot after so few UFC fights.

Miocic also looked ahead to December. He likes Alex Pereira's chances of winning a third belt against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on Dec. 12. Pereira, 39, is booked for that fight, and he has said he would return to light heavyweight if he loses.

Watch for Gane vs. Hokit on Nov. 14, which will show whether the UFC's choice of a newcomer pays off. Aspinall has not announced a return date.