TLDR
- UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is out indefinitely after suffering eye injuries that may require multiple surgeries from eye pokes by Ciryl Gane
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta is calling for the UFC to create an interim heavyweight title while Aspinall recovers
- Cortes-Acosta wants to fight either Alexander Volkov or Ciryl Gane for the interim championship
- The 34-year-old earned his title shot consideration with a knockout victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 last month
- Cortes-Acosta holds a 10-2 record in the UFC with five knockout victories since joining through the Contender Series in 2022
Sources: EssentiallySports | MMA Mania | BJPenn
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is out of action indefinitely after suffering serious eye injuries that could require multiple surgeries. The 32-year-old champion sustained eye damage during his recent fight with Ciryl Gane, which Aspinall has blamed on eye pokes from his opponent.
With the champion sidelined for an unknown period, No. 5-ranked heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta is calling for the UFC to create an interim title. The Dominican fighter wants the promotion to keep the division moving forward while Aspinall recovers.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta wouldn’t mind fighting for an interim title as champ Tom Aspinall continues his recovery. 🏆👀
(via @dannyseguratv) pic.twitter.com/r0WYP6yyi3
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 4, 2026
Cortes-Acosta Proposes Multiple Scenarios
“I want to fight Volkov or Ciryl Gane, they’re waiting,” Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in a recent interview. “I assume Tom Aspinall is not fighting anytime soon, so why not put an interim title in place?”
Cortes-Acosta has outlined several possible matchups that would work for him. He suggested fighting Alexander Volkov for an interim belt, with the winner eventually facing Aspinall upon his return.
Another option would be facing Gane himself for the interim championship. “Ciryl Gane, fight him for the interim belt, and the winner fights Tom Aspinall,” Cortes-Acosta explained.
The 34-year-old contender emphasized he would be comfortable with either opponent. “Any of the two are fine with me,” he said.
Recent Success Fuels Title Ambitions
Cortes-Acosta earned his spot in the title conversation with a dominant knockout victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 last month in Las Vegas. The performance marked his arrival as a serious heavyweight contender.
Known as “Salsa Boy,” Cortes-Acosta first entered the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in summer 2022. He has since compiled a 10-2 record under the UFC banner with five knockout victories.
The timing of Aspinall’s injury adds another layer of uncertainty to the heavyweight division. The champion could be facing multiple eye surgeries to correct his vision, though no specific timeline for his return has been announced.
Aspinall has been vocal about the circumstances of his injury, publicly blaming Gane for the eye pokes that led to his current medical situation. The incident has sparked debate about fighter safety and enforcement of rules against eye pokes.
The UFC has not yet responded to Cortes-Acosta’s proposal for an interim title fight. The promotion has used interim championships in the past when champions face extended absences due to injury or other circumstances.
Cortes-Acosta’s proposal comes at a time when the heavyweight division is looking for direction. With Aspinall unable to defend his title and no clear timeline for his return, an interim belt could provide a path forward for top contenders.
Both Alexander Volkov and Ciryl Gane are currently ranked in the top five of the heavyweight division. Either fighter would represent a step up in competition for Cortes-Acosta as he pursues his first UFC title opportunity.
The Dominican fighter’s recent knockout of Lewis demonstrated his finishing power against elite competition. His current 10-2 UFC record shows consistency at the highest level of the sport.
Cortes-Acosta has made clear he is willing to fight either Volkov or Gane, giving the UFC flexibility in booking a potential interim title fight while the division awaits Aspinall’s recovery from eye surgery.
