UFC's Title Crisis: Four Divisions in Limbo Due to Champion Absences
Injuries and lengthy recovery periods have left four UFC divisions without active champions. Valentina Shevchenko and Tom Aspinall vacated their belts, while Carlos Ulberg is sidelined until 2027 and Kayla Harrison's surgery delayed her title defense. The promotion is weighing interim titles or new championship bouts to resolve the logjam.
The flyweight division moves forward with Natalia Silva and Wang Cong competing for the vacant belt at UFC 332, though neither will have beaten the deposed champion. Silva enters on a 14-fight winning streak with recent victories over top contenders, while Wang's rapid rise from eighth place reflects the promotion's need for fresh title options.
Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall vacated his belt after repeated eye surgeries stemming from an accidental poke during his UFC 321 bout with Ciryl Gane. His reign included only one official defense—a no-contest—leaving Gane, who holds the interim title, as the division's most active figure. Carlos Ulberg's knee injury and Kayla Harrison's surgical delay further strain the promotion's scheduling.
This cluster of inactive champions could reshape how fans and fighters perceive title legitimacy, as interim belts and vacant-championship bouts may carry less weight than unified crowns. Rankings could stall, and contenders may lose career momentum while waiting. The promotion's handling of these situations may influence fighter trust in the organization's commitment to competitive fairness.