Tom Aspinall, recently promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion following Jon Jones’s retirement last month, still faces uncertainty around the timing and opponent for his first title defense. As the heavyweight division waits to regain momentum, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has voiced his support for a surprising contender to challenge Aspinall next: Derrick Lewis.

Several fighters are under consideration for Aspinall’s first defense, including Ciryl Gane, who recently won against Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 in a bout surrounded by judging controversy. Dana White has publicly disagreed with the decision, adding to the debate around Gane’s standing in the division.

With the heavyweight class in flux, Cejudo’s recommendation initiates fresh discussions about who would best test Aspinall’s credibility as champion.

Henry Cejudo Suggests Derrick Lewis as Aspinall’s Next Challenger

While speculation continues around potential title bouts, Henry Cejudo made it clear on social media that Derrick Lewis should be the next to face Aspinall rather than Ciryl Gane. Cejudo’s endorsement reflects both fan interest and the significance to Aspinall’s legacy that a fight with Lewis would carry.

It should be Tom Aspinall vs. Derrick Lewis next. The fans would definitely prefer it, and Lewis would mean more to Aspinall’s resume than Gane,

Cejudo stated.

How could you build up a fight between Aspinall and Gane when Gane lost his last fight and Dana said to Volkov outside the cage ‘You got f*****’. Let Aspinall/Lewis headline UFC 322 at MSG.

Derrick Lewis has strengthened his case for another title shot following a devastating 35-second knockout of Tailison Teixeira at UFC Nashville. The two-time heavyweight title challenger is the UFC’s all-time leader in knockouts and has won three of his last four fights, keeping him very relevant in the division despite his current ranking.

Dana White has neither confirmed nor ruled out Lewis for a title shot after UFC Nashville, making an official fight announcement involving Aspinall highly anticipated in the coming weeks.

Jon Jones Faces Setbacks on Road to UFC Return

Meanwhile, Jon Jones, who recently retired as the UFC’s heavyweight champion, hopes to make a comeback but faces obstacles from UFC president Dana White. White expressed reluctance to have Jones headline the anticipated White House UFC event next year, citing concerns linked to Jones’s conduct outside the cage.

Jones responded to White’s remarks, signaling his intention to stay active and continue training in hopes of overturning White’s decision. His last fight was a November victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, and he remains a significant figure in the heavyweight landscape.

If Aspinall holds his title at year’s end, a future matchup with Jones could be a blockbuster event, though White has yet to entertain that possibility publicly.

Moving Forward: Implications for the Heavyweight Division

The heavyweight title picture remains unsettled, with Tom Aspinall’s first title defense set to define the division’s direction. Henry Cejudo’s backing of Derrick Lewis introduces a highly compelling potential matchup that fans and analysts alike are eager to see realized. The outcome could shape Aspinall’s legacy and the heavyweight rankings in substantial ways.

As Dana White weighs matchups and timelines, the weeks ahead will likely bring clarity to who will step into the Octagon next with Aspinall’s championship on the line. Meanwhile, interest remains high for when Jon Jones might reenter the picture, keeping heavyweight fans on edge amid this tense and unpredictable phase.