Josh Hokit doubts Aspinall wants to come back: 'Aspinall wearing glasses, I'm whooping asses'

Days before he fights Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title, Hokit pointed to Aspinall signing with Eddie Hearn, "Dana's arch nemesis".

Josh Hokit says he does not think Tom Aspinall wants to come back to the UFC, and offered a rhyme about the former heavyweight champion.

Asked at UFC 334 media day in New York on Wednesday whether he would still want to fight Aspinall if he beats Ciryl Gane, Hokit said: "When I'm champion, anybody can get a fight. Anybody's going to be able to get a fight. I'm not going to hold the belt and be sidelined."

He went on: "We'll see if Aspinall comes back... I don't think he wants to come back. You sign with Eddie Hearn, you know, Dana's arch nemesis, and to me that's just like you're just trying to get to the money, get a money fight in boxing."

"We'll see if they give him a price to work with in the UFC," Hokit said. "But, I mean, if Tom Aspinall wearing glasses, I'm whooping asses, entertaining the masses, you know, in the meantime."

Aspinall has given a different account of his future. When he vacated the heavyweight title, he said he is not retiring and intends to return when he is medically able, after multiple surgeries, accidents and infections related to his eyes following the accidental eye poke that ended his UFC 321 fight with Gane as a no contest in October 2025. He hired Hearn as his manager through Matchroom Talent Agency earlier this year, to handle dealings with the UFC and with brands. Hearn's feud with UFC president Dana White has run since White launched Zuffa Boxing at the start of 2026.

Hokit has said before that he does not think Aspinall's eye injury is real: Hokit on Aspinall and Gane. He also said at media day that he is close to a deal with Real American Freestyle.

Hokit, who is 10-0, challenges Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday 14 November. The main card starts at 2am UK time on Sunday 15 November.

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