A major setback hits the heavyweight division with one contender ruled out for 2025
The UFC heavyweight division has been building toward a marquee moment, and October 25th at UFC 321 feels like that breakthrough. With Tom Aspinall set to face Ciryl Gane, fans are gearing up for a matchup that could define the next era at the top of the sport. But while excitement builds for that clash, news broke that one of the division’s top contenders will be sidelined for the rest of the year, creating a ripple effect in an thin division.
Curtis Blaydes, ranked No. 5 in the UFC heavyweight rankings, revealed during a fan Q&A before UFC 319 in Chicago that he will be out of action after undergoing surgery.
Blaydes, who remains the only man to hand Aspinall a loss inside the UFC, confirmed the setback came after his most recent fight. ‘I’m going to be out the rest of the year,’ Blaydes said. ‘I injured my meniscus in my last fight. I probably won’t be back until January. … I’ll be out for eight weeks, but I’m hoping to be back by January.’ According to MMA Junkie, the procedure will sideline him through 2025.
Fans last saw Blaydes on June 21 when he scored a hard-fought split decision win over Rizvan Kuniev. With his current ranking holding steady at No. 5, Blaydes remains in prime position to make a push when he returns. If Aspinall can get past Gane in October, a potential trilogy with Blaydes looms as a compelling storyline for 2026. And with Dana White always vocal about building the biggest fights possible, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the UFC president push hard for that matchup once Blaydes is cleared to return.
Related: Sean Strickland Fires Off After Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 Victory
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
