UFC Heavyweight Champ Aspinall Not 'Exiled' Despite Viral Hoax

Baseless rumors about Tom Aspinall vacating his title and leaving the UFC spread on social media, amplified by a former fighter-turned-analyst.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Rumors surfaced this week that UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall had vacated his title and been 'exiled' from the promotion, but credible MMA journalist Peter Carroll quickly debunked the story as a complete fabrication. The false narrative was initially spread by an anonymous social media user and then amplified by retired UFC fighter Josh Thomson, causing confusion among fans and media. However, Carroll confirmed that Aspinall's team had not been contacted about any title vacancy or release, exposing the entire incident as misinformation.

Why it matters

The spread of unverified claims on social media, especially when amplified by influential figures like Thomson, highlights an ongoing issue in MMA journalism around the rapid dissemination of false information. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of fact-checking before reporting on sensitive topics that could impact fighters' careers and the sport's future.

The details

The drama began when an anonymous X user named Rueben Carter posted a claim that Aspinall had not only vacated his heavyweight title but had been released from his UFC contract by 'mutual agreement'. According to the fabricated report, the UFC wanted Aspinall to give up his belt so he could pursue boxing opportunities. Retired UFC fighter Josh Thomson, now an MMA analyst, then amplified the unverified story on social media, asking if the UFC would 'let Aspinall walk'. However, MMA journalist Peter Carroll quickly debunked the rumors, stating that Aspinall's team had not been contacted about any title vacancy or release.

  • On February 12, 2026, the initial false claim was posted on X by user Rueben Carter.
  • Also on February 12, 2026, retired UFC fighter Josh Thomson amplified the unverified story on social media.
  • On February 13, 2026, MMA journalist Peter Carroll refuted the rumors, confirming that Aspinall's team had not been contacted about a title vacancy or release.

The players

Tom Aspinall

The current UFC heavyweight champion who has been sidelined since October 2025 due to an eye injury sustained in a no-contest fight against Ciryl Gane.

Rueben Carter

An anonymous X user who posted the initial false claim about Aspinall vacating his title and being 'exiled' from the UFC.

Josh Thomson

A retired UFC lightweight fighter who now works as an MMA analyst and amplified the unverified story about Aspinall on social media.

Peter Carroll

A credible MMA journalist who directly contacted sources to debunk the false narrative about Aspinall.

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What they’re saying

“This is not true. No one has contacted Tom Aspinall or his team about vacating his title or being exiled from the roster. Seems like that would be important in terms of a mutual agreement.”

— Peter Carroll, MMA Journalist (X)

“Will the UFC let Tom Aspinall walk? The HW and LHW divisions are in shambles after being the back bone of the UFC and the sport of MMA since the beginning. How does the UFC fix this?”

— Josh Thomson, Retired UFC Fighter and MMA Analyst (X)

What’s next

Aspinall is currently recovering from double eye surgery and is expected to rebook his fight against Ciryl Gane once medically cleared. The UFC has not publicly pressured him to relinquish his heavyweight title during his recovery.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of misinformation spreading rapidly on social media, especially when amplified by influential figures in the MMA community. It serves as a reminder for journalists and fans alike to always verify claims before reporting or sharing them, in order to maintain the integrity of the sport's coverage.