Tom Aspinall, a rising star in the UFC heavyweight division, has openly stated his long-standing desire to fight former champion Francis Ngannou, who has been sidelined since October 2022 due to injuries. Ngannou made a comeback in May 2023, securing a first-round knockout against Philipe Lins at the MVP MMA 1 event, reigniting interest in his career. Aspinall is currently positioned to face the winner of the interim heavyweight title bout between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira, set for June 14. However, his aspirations for a fight with Ngannou are complicated by his contractual situation. Aspinall's new manager, Eddie Hearn, has requested Dana White to release him from his UFC contract, which could impact his future opportunities. Despite the challenges, Aspinall remains hopeful about facing Ngannou, stating, “I’d love that fight. I’ve always wanted that fight.” As Ngannou prepares for a potential headline matchup against Rico Verhoeven, the dynamics of Aspinall's career continue to evolve.