Tom Aspinall’s reign as UFC heavyweight champion remains in limbo and his road back just hit another hurdle.
Tom Aspinall continues to recover from the serious eye injuries he suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Months after their title fight ended in controversy, the British champion still deals with vision complications that have stalled his return to the Octagon.
A double eye poke from Gane forced the bout to end in a no-contest, abruptly stopping Aspinall’s first defense as undisputed champion. During an exchange, Gane extended his hand and two fingers struck Aspinall directly in both eyes. The referee paused the action, but Aspinall could not see well enough to continue. Officials waved off the fight.
Since then, Tom Aspinall has undergone multiple procedures in an effort to restore his vision. After several minor surgeries, he recently had another major operation on both eyes in the United Kingdom. His surgeons at Optegra released a statement addressing his recovery.
“After his highly publicized eye poke injury, Optegra’s expert team is proud to have supported MMA fighter and UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall,” the statement read.
“Over recent months, we’ve been working closely with him on his recovery. Following his operation on both eyes, we continue the journey to get Tom’s vision back to fighting fitness.”
The injury has left Tom Aspinall with ongoing vision issues, and he has not provided a timetable for his return. The UFC now waits for medical clearance before moving forward with the heavyweight division.
The setback marks a frustrating chapter for Aspinall. He spent more than a year waiting for a potential title unification fight with Jon Jones — a bout that never materialized after lengthy negotiations. Jones ultimately announced his retirement and relinquished the belt, elevating Tom Aspinall to undisputed champion.
When the UFC finally booked Aspinall vs. Gane as his first official defense, the matchup ended just minutes into the opening round due to the eye poke. UFC CEO Dana White initially announced plans to rebook the fight. However, with Aspinall still recovering from surgery, the promotion has yet to confirm a new date.
Meanwhile, fans and analysts have floated the possibility of an interim heavyweight title fight if Tom Aspinall remains sidelined for an extended period. A matchup between top contenders Ciryl Gane and Waldo Cortes-Acosta has surfaced as one potential option. The UFC has not made any official announcement regarding that scenario.
For now, the heavyweight division waits on Tom Aspinall.
Gane has also remained inactive as he awaits clarity on the champion’s health and a possible rematch booking. Until Aspinall receives full medical clearance, the future of the heavyweight title picture remains uncertain.
