Dana White has been urged to establish yet another interim title for the UFC, just weeks after Justin Gaethje was crowned champion.
The lightweight division is not the only one facing issues with an absent champion. Justin Gaethje made headlines when he triumphed over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, earning himself the status of a two-time interim titleholder in the highly competitive 155-pound category of mixed martial arts. This bout became necessary due to the reigning champion Ilia Topuria’s decision to step away from the UFC at the beginning of 2026, citing personal matters that required his attention outside the Octagon.
In addition to this situation, another leading figure in the heavyweight division is also unavailable, albeit for different reasons. Tom Aspinall has undergone surgery to address severe eye injuries inflicted by Ciryl Gane during their previous encounter last October. As of now, there is no specific timeline for Aspinall’s return to the octagon, prompting one of the top contenders in his division to push for significant action from the UFC.
- LATEST NEWS: Khabib Nurmagomedov voices his disagreement with Umar’s opponent preference while proposing an alternative plan to the UFC.
If Dana White were to ever vacate his position… who would take over? 👀🔥
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments… Let the discussions unfold! 👇💬
Waldo Cortes-Acosta is actively seeking an interim title shot in the heavyweight division while Tom Aspinall recuperates. Aspinall has expressed his desire to exact revenge on Gane for the fouls committed at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, yet there still seems to be no clear indication of when he might get that opportunity.
In light of the ongoing uncertainties in the heavyweight category, Waldo Cortes-Acosta is making his case to Dana White and the UFC. Following his impressive performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC 324, where he decisively defeated Lewis, the Dominican contender is advocating for a chance to compete for a newly established interim championship against either Alexander Volkov or Ciryl Gane.
“I want to fight (Alexander) Volkov or Ciryl Gane. They’re ready,” Cortes-Acosta stated in an interview with Hablemos MMA. “Given that Tom Aspinall isn’t expected to fight soon, why not introduce an interim title?
“Whoever emerges victorious from that matchup could then possibly face the champion, should a rematch between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall come to fruition. That sounds promising,” he added.
- LATEST NEWS: A UFC star elaborates on why he missed out on a short-notice main event against a fighter he previously knocked out after predicting his own victory.
The state of the UFC heavyweight division currently leaves much to be desired. Once regarded as the crown jewel of the UFC, akin to boxing’s heavyweight legacy, it saw fierce competitors like Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and others battling for supremacy.
However, last Saturday’s UFC 325 event underscored the stark decline of the division's allure. Tai Tuivasa’s sixth consecutive loss in the UFC exemplified the current woes of heavyweight matches, as he and Tallison Teixeira engaged in a lackluster bout filled with slow punches and visible exhaustion, drawing criticism from fans.
Many spectators are expressing their frustration, with some even advocating for the dissolution of the heavyweight division altogether.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay updated with a weekly summary of our best content from Bloody Elbow, delivered straight to your inbox!
