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<\/p>\nThe heavyweight champion looks set to return to action later this year, but a UFC legend has tipped a newcomer to dethrone the British scrapper<\/p>\n
Tom Aspinall is hoping to return to the cage this year(Image: 2026 Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Tom Aspinall<\/a> has been largely unstoppable since signing with the UFC, but MMA legend Tyron Woodley has backed newcomer Gable Steveson to walk through the heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n The British star has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the UFC<\/a> ranks thus far. Aspinall won the interim title back in 2023 after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich, before successfully defending it against Curtis Blaydes<\/a>, and in doing so, avenging his only loss inside the UFC Octagon. The 33-year-old was later promoted to undisputed champion after Jon Jones relinquished the gold strap.<\/p>\n Aspinall has not fought since his ill-fated title defence against Ciryl Gane last October. The Salford scrapper was poked in the eyes by the Frenchman and the fight called off<\/a> and deemed a no-contest just minutes into the opening round. Aspinall has since undergone surgery on both eyes but has resumed training and hopes to fight before the end of 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Since Aspinall’s last fight, the UFC has added to its heavyweight roster by signing the highly-talented Steveson – mentored by Jones – and is expected to make his promotional debut at July\u2019s International Fight Week event in Las Vegas – a card which could be headlined by Conor McGregor<\/a>.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett handed major blow as rival Ilia Topuria shuts down future fight<\/a>READ MORE: Jose Aldo reveals how he repaired relationship with rival Conor McGregor<\/a><\/p>\n Steveson, 25, is only three fights into his professional career, but has already been backed to achieve great things. The undefeated star has not fought since knocking out Hugo Lezama back in February. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist could find immediate success in the cage due to his elite-level wrestling.<\/p>\n Jones is confident his man will become champion before the year is out, and even the fighter himself is confident he can compete with some of the top stars in the UFC’s heaviest division. Former welterweight champion Woodley has confidently predicted that the young American could breeze through Aspinall right now if he wanted to.<\/p>\n \u201cGable Steveson will become heavyweight champion,\u201d Woodley told talkSPORT<\/a> BET. \u201cHe can do it this year if he wants to. Tom Aspinall will get tortured by Gable right now. Tom looked sloppy against Ciryl Gane before he got poked in the eye. Gable has got powerful hands, all his fights are finishes. He has crazy wrestling, crazy athletic ability.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Ilia Topuria sends message to Donald Trump ahead of UFC White House fight<\/a>READ MORE: Conor McGregor issued injury warning ahead of UFC comeback fight<\/a><\/p>\n Woodley added: \u201cHe\u2019s hungry. You think he\u2019s still happy about losing the NCAA championship in the last three seconds? Hell no. I don\u2019t see a matchup in the UFC now at heavyweight that he does not win.\u201d<\/p>\n Steveson may have to wait rather patiently for his shot at the title, though, as the UFC plan on staging an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Gane on the grounds of the White House on June 14<\/a> – with the winner taking on Aspinall later this year.<\/p>\n