UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains injured as uncertainty continues over his return to competition.

Aspinall has been sidelined since his heavyweight title bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no-contest following a series of eye pokes. With no return date confirmed for the Briton, several leading heavyweights have continued to position themselves for opportunities at the top of the division.

“Tom Aspinall is hurt,” said White, to reporters this week. “Until we hear differently, the heavyweight division will just keep rolling.”

White made the comments following Week 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series after being asked about the current heavyweight picture, including Alex Pereira’s push for another fight with Gane and Josh Hokit’s call for a bout with the Frenchman.

The UFC has yet to announce a timetable for Aspinall’s return or confirm its plans for the heavyweight championship while he remains unavailable. White also did not announce whether an interim title fight or defence would be booked during the champion’s absence.

Aspinall’s most recent appearance came against Gane at UFC 321, with the contest ending without a winner after the accidental eye poke. Gane has since remained part of the title conversation, while former light heavyweight champion Pereira and Hokit have both publicly expressed interest in facing the French heavyweight.