Is the UFC heavyweight division stuck in limbo? With champion Tom Aspinall sidelined indefinitely due to a serious eye injury, the landscape of the division is uncertain. But one fighter, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, is making a bold proposal to keep things moving: an interim title fight.
Aspinall's injury, unfortunately, stems from an accidental eye poke by Ciryl Gane during their recent bout. This unfortunate incident has left Aspinall facing the prospect of multiple surgeries, and a lengthy recovery period. But here's where it gets controversial... some might argue that Gane's actions, while accidental, have directly impacted the division's momentum. What are your thoughts on this?
Cortes-Acosta, currently ranked No. 5 in the heavyweight division, believes that an interim title is the logical next step. He's eager to face either Alexander Volkov or Ciryl Gane for this temporary belt. "I assume Tom Aspinall is not fighting anytime soon, so why not put an interim title in place?" Cortes-Acosta stated in a recent interview. "Whoever wins fights the champion, should they make the rematch between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. That would be good."
He's open to various scenarios, whether it's him fighting Volkov for the interim title and then facing the winner of Aspinall vs. Gane, or directly challenging Gane for the interim belt. "Any of the two are fine," he explained. "Any of the two can put me to fight for an interim title."
And this is the part most people miss... interim titles are becoming increasingly common in the UFC, often used to bridge gaps when champions are unavailable. This strategy helps maintain fan engagement and keeps top contenders active. Cortes-Acosta himself is a rising force, having recently defeated Derrick Lewis at UFC 324. He boasts an impressive 10-2 record within the UFC, with five knockouts, and has been honing his skills since his debut on Dana White's "Contender Series" in 2022.
So, what do you think? Should the UFC crown an interim champion to keep the heavyweight division exciting, or should they wait for Tom Aspinall's full recovery? Let us know your opinions in the comments below!
