Tom Aspinall and his team are still dealing with the devastating aftermath of what happened at UFC 321. What was meant to be his first undisputed heavyweight title defense turned into a nightmare after Ciryl Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes, forcing the fight to end in a no-contest.
The main event in Abu Dhabi was supposed to mark a defining moment in Aspinall’s career, but instead, it left him unable to see and unsure about his future in the sport. The accidental foul not only cost the fans a proper finish but also left the champion with potentially serious eye damage.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Andy Aspinall, Tom’s father and head coach, revealed the grim reality of his son’s condition.
“It’s bad,” Andy said. “His right eye, he still can’t see anything, it’s just grey. They tested him on words, and he couldn’t see. His left eye is about 50 per cent; he went down four letters and couldn’t see the rest. One’s really blurry, and one’s still not working.”
The update silenced speculation from fans and pundits who questioned the severity of Aspinall’s injury. Andy made it clear that his son’s situation is serious, not just a minor setback that can be brushed off.
“For me, it’s all about his health,” Andy continued. “Fighting is his job, but when you risk losing your sight, that changes everything. If it were anyone else’s son, they’d say the same thing. He could’ve lost his sight because of a foul, and we’re still waiting to see if his vision fully returns.”
Despite the incident, Andy harbours no resentment toward Ciryl Gane, acknowledging that eye pokes are unfortunately common in MMA. Still, he believes the lack of accountability for fouls like this exposes a serious flaw in the system.
“Nobody’s ever lost a fight because of an eye poke,” he said. “I’m not saying someone should win or lose over it, but safety has to come first. There needs to be consequences. What will it take to change the rules? Another fighter losing his sight? Something has to be done.”
Aspinall’s injuries, as described by his father, go beyond temporary discomfort. Andy explained that doctors noticed the champion’s “good eye isn’t following light properly,” suggesting potential muscle or nerve damage. A CT scan has been scheduled to determine whether any bones were affected.
While UFC matchmakers reportedly hope to rebook Aspinall vs. Gane early next year, potentially for the promotion’s debut on Paramount+, those plans now depend entirely on Aspinall’s recovery timeline. If his condition doesn’t improve, an interim title bout could be next on the table.For now, the focus remains on healing.
“Tom’s been in a bad mood since the fight,” Andy admitted. “Not because of what people are saying online, but because of how everything ended. It’s tough to train all year for this and have it taken away by something completely out of your control.”
The accident at UFC 321 has reignited discussions around fighter safety and the ongoing issue of eye pokes in MMA. Many have called for redesigned gloves or stricter penalties, echoing Andy’s frustration that “nothing changes until something serious happens.”
As Aspinall waits for answers and hopes for recovery, one thing is certain, his journey as heavyweight champion has taken a difficult turn. Whether he steps back into the Octagon soon or not, his situation has already sparked a crucial conversation about protecting fighters before it’s too late.
